Box Score
FISHKILL, N.Y. - Manhattan's magical run in the 2010 MAAC Baseball Championships came to an end on Friday with a 6-5 loss to top-seeded Canisius (39-20) at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y. The Jaspers, who became known for their ninth inning comebacks as of late, ran out of timely hits as Manhattan finished the campaign 31-20 overall, marking the program's fifth consecutive 30-win season.
The Jaspers needed a memorable 12 run comeback victory in the regular-season finale on May 21 just to qualify for their eighth straight MAAC Tournament. Then on Thursday, Manhattan proved its incredible will to win in the tournament's elimination round when ninth inning home runs from Mark Onorati and Kevin Nieto propelled the Jaspers to a 6-5 victory over Marist to again keep their season alive.
Manhattan made another ninth inning charge on Friday trying to recoup two runs to the Golden Griffs, but this time it was not in their deck of cards. Down to their final out, Nieto gave the Jaspers life, as he has done throughout his career, with a single to center field. Chad Salem then helped pull the Jaspers within one run (6-5) with a double to left field as Nieto scored on a fielding error. Junior Austin Sheffield, who had played superb at first base all tournament, could not sneak a ground ball through the left side as the final out was recorded to end the Jaspers' hopes.
Nieto, a product of Miami, will graduate as one of the most accomplished players in program history. He finished his four years in Riverdale as the all-time leader in career hits (257), runs (210), triples (17), while standing second in RBI (159) , third in doubles (51) and sixth in home runs (25). Nieto led the Jaspers' offense batting .538 (7-for-13) and posting a .600 on-base percentage in the 2010 MAAC Championships.
Canisius jumped out to a two run lead scoring in the second inning, beginning with second baseman Steve McQuail's first pitch solo home run. Golden Griffs' catcher Brad Medici helped get the second run across when he singled to left field and Shane Willson came around to score on a fielding error.
In the third inning, Willson delivered a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to get Sean Jamieson across, giving the Golden Griffs a 3-0 advantage. Jamieson finished 3-for-5 from the plate to continue his hot hitting in the tournament where he batted .700 (7-for-10) in the first three games.
Manhattan sent three runners home in the top of the fourth to tie the ballgame. Freshman shortstop Nick Camastro's sacrifice fly got the first it. Junior left fielder Mark Onorati then delivered the game tying blow off Golden Griffs' reliever Ryan Fennell by launching a two run blast over the left field wall. The home run was nearly identical to the blast he hit in the top of the ninth inning of Thursday's comeback win over Marist.
The bottom of the fourth inning featured a great defensive play by Sheffield. The native of Augusta, Ga. corralled a hard hit liner and made the unassisted double play tagging out Drew Pettit.
The Golden Griffs regained the lead in the sixth inning when Jamieson delivered an infield single to shortstop with two outs. Deep in the hole, Camastro could not make the throw to first base, after a making the tough play to field it. The run gave Canisius a 4-3 lead.
Salem tied the game in the seventh inning by dropping a one run single into left field. The Jaspers' third baseman went 2-for-3 from the plate.
In what proved to be a decisive seventh inning, Canisius put two runs back on the board courtesy of consecutive RBI singles by Will Chomicki and Perry Silverman. Silverman knocked in Medici for the game winning run.
The Golden Griffs tallied 17 hits in the contest, including a 4-for-5 effort from designated hitter Ian Choy. Manhattan was also hurt by its three errors.
Jaspers' starter Mike Giordano gave 2 1/3 innings on the hill, a day after he picked up the victory over Marist by pitching the final two hitless innings. Senior Tom Moran threw 3 1/3 solid innings out of the bullpen as he allowed just one earned run to the powerful Canisius offense.
Canisius reliever Andrew Van'tWout improved to 5-1 on the season after receiving credit for the win with two innings of work. Golden Griffs' closer Shayne Willson earned his seventh save of the year for retiring the final out. Manhattan's loss was credited to reigning MAAC Pitcher of the Week Rob Ardino. Ardino pitched the Jaspers into the MAAC Championships by tossing a hitless three innings in the triumph over Siena.
Manhattan graduates one of its winningest classes in program history in seniors Moran, Nieto, Anthony Armenio, Tom Costigan, Mike Gazzola and Zac Goyer. In the last four years, they compiled 131 victories and two MAAC Regular-Season championships.
