Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team pulled an unthinkable comeback, battling back from 12 runs down to earn a walk-off 19-18 victory over Siena (27-27, 13-11) in extra innings on Friday at Van Cortlandt Park. Entering the game, Manhattan (30-18, 15-9) controlled its own playoff destiny needing the win to qualify for the 2010 MAAC Championships. It ended up taking four hours and eight minutes in the blistering sun, but the Jaspers did not fall to the pressure as they recorded their 30th win and will make their eighth straight MAAC Tournament appearance.
Manhattan rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to tie the game at 18-18, courtesy of a two run homer from junior Chad Salem , and then back-to-back two-out RBI doubles from Kyle Murphy and Ramon Ortega. Ortega came in cold off the bench to pinch hit with the Jaspers down to their final out. He dropped the game tying hit just inside the left field line with Saints' outfielder Kyle Baldani unable to make the catch. In the 10th inning, Mike McCann delivered a one-out single up the middle, setting the stage for Anthony Armenio who singled through the left side to get the game winning run across.
Salem helped carry the Jaspers' offense with one of the top performance from a Jasper in program history, given the circumstances. Salem blasted two home runs and drove in seven runs in a perfect 5-for-5 day at the plate. On the hill, Rob Ardino dominated coming out of the bullpen in the eighth inning, giving the Jaspers much needed stability on the mound. Ardino picked up his first win of the year in his 10th appearance as he pitched a hitless final three innings with two strikeouts.
Manhattan faced a 17-5 deficit entering the bottom of the seventh inning. The Jaspers worked seven runs off its debt in the frame to pull within single digits. Manhattan patiently tallied its seven runs on two hits, three walks and two hit batters, with six of the runs credited to Saints' freshman reliever Robert Tedesco. Tedesco did not record an out and was responsible for six runs in relief for starter Justin Brantley who pitched the first six innings with just one earned run.
The Jaspers big seventh inning featured a two run homer from Salem and a three run homer from senior outfielder Kevin Nieto. Armenio added his two run blast, which exited right field in the eighth to pull within 18-14.
Six of the Jaspers starters finished with multi-hit performances. Armenio, McCann and Murphy each posted three, while Austin Sheffield had two with two RBI and Nieto added two.
Manhattan generated all its runs in the ninth inning off Siena closer Anthony Giansanti who entered the game with six saves and had not allowed an earned run in 11 appearances this season.
The Jaspers received good production from right handed pitcher Mike Giordano who went 4 1/3 innings in relief. The Bedford, N.Y. native retired the first nine batters he faced and finished his day with five strikeouts. Giordano came in for senior lefty Mike Gazzola who relieved Jaspers' starter Tom Costigan. Costigan faced just three batters in the first inning, before he left the game due to an injury.
Manhattan will enter the 2010 MAAC Championships as either the #3 or #4 seed in the four team field, depending on the outcome of tomorrow's Rider-Iona contest. The tournament will run from May 26-29 at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y. The winner will receive the MAAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
