Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team could not hold on to a one run advantage in the bottom of the ninth as Rider (14-14, 4-5 MAAC) scored the game winning run on Garrett Rugg's RBI single to take a 10-9 victory at Sonny Pittaro Field. Jaspers' third baseman Chad Salem led Manhattan (16-11, 5-4 MAAC) with four hits and three RBI, including his team leading ninth home run of the season. With the loss, Manhattan dropped its three game conference series at Rider after splitting a doubleheader with the Broncs on Saturday.
The Jaspers jumped on Rider early scoring two runs in the first inning. Mike McCann got the first run across the plate on a sacrifice fly. Salem scored later in the inning on a wild pitch after reaching base with a single.
Rider took its first lead in the second inning after posting three runs to take a 3-2 advantage. Shortstop John Ralston notched a RBI single to left field and later scored the third run on centerfielder Brandon Cotten's RBI single.
Manhattan scored six straight runs splitting the surge evenly with two in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the fourth, senior outfielder Kevin Nieto delivered his 10th double of the season to get a run across, which tied the contest. Salem then put the Jaspers in front, 4-3, with a one run single. In the fifth inning, designated hitter Anthony Armenio launched his fourth home run of the year with two outs, which was followed by freshman shortstop Nick Camastro's RBI double. Manhattan extended its lead to 8-3 with Salem's two run blast in the sixth inning.
The Broncs pulled within striking distance (8-6) in the bottom half of the sixth inning with designated hitter Steve Galella's RBI double, catcher Eric Woodrow's RBI triple and Cotten's sacrifice fly to cap the three run inning. Rider left fielder Nick Wojnowski's two run homer in the seventh inning tied the game up at 8-8.
After Manhattan was held scoreless in the eighth inning, Jaspers' senior Tom Moran allowed just one hit in the bottom frame to send the game into the ninth inning still tied. Junior outfielder Mark Onorati broke the tie delivering a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out to give Manhattan a 9-8 advantage. Onorati hit 3-for-5 and scored two runs in the ballgame.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jaspers' reliever John Soldinger surrendered the two decisive runs. Rider locked the game at 9-9 on a bases loaded fielding error. Then with two outs and runners on second and third, Rugg notched the game winning RBI single to left field.
Rider relief pitcher Tyler Smith picked up his first win of the season after tossing the ninth inning. Jaspers' sophomore starter Mike Giordano lasted six innings and recorded four strikeouts. Broncs' starter Joe Calogero was touched up for five runs in 4 2/3 innings of action.
Manhattan will travel to Sacred Heart on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. The Jaspers return to MAAC play on Saturday at Fairfield with the doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
