Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team was clicking on all cylinders Tuesday as the Jaspers defeated NJIT 8-1 in Newark, N.J. Returning from a strenuous four-game series at SEC power Tennessee last weekend, Manhattan (3-9) rebounded with a complete performance behind the offensive output of sophomore Kyle Murphy and a strong pitching effort of freshman starter Kevin Bonanni who picked up the first win of his collegiate career.
Manhattan rushed out to a four run lead on NJIT (2-5) in the first inning as Murphy delivered with two-outs smashing a bases clearing triple off of Highlanders starter Tripp Davis. Murphy eventually came around the bases himself, scoring on an error to send the Jaspers up 4-0.
Murphy, a utility player from Waterbury, Conn., had two hits and drove in four runs in the contest.
The Jaspers tacked on their fifth run of the ballgame in the fourth inning. Senior outfielder Mark Onorati delivered a two-out double, which was followed by Mike McCann's RBI triple.
Bonnani was rolling on the hill for the Jaspers retiring 15 of the 17 batters he faced. The right-hander from Plainview, N.Y. allowed just one hit, recorded six strikeouts and did not walk a batter through five dominant innings of work. The Manhattan bullpen took over in the sixth inning and delivered a solid effort as freshmen Chris Kalousdian, Peter Cappiello and sophomore Matt Jordan each pitched a scoreless inning.
Manhattan extended its lead in the seventh inning when Onorati scored on a wild pitch. Then in the ninth inning, Murphy drove in senior third baseman Chad Salem with a single, and then sophomore shortstop Nick Camastro registered a RBI double to put the Jaspers ahead 8-0.
Camastro, Onorati, Salem and senior first baseman Austin Sheffield each finished with two hits.
Jaspers' junior reliever Taylor Sewitt wrapped up the ninth inning, despite yielding a solo home run to Highlanders' freshman catcher Scott Brosman. Sewitt struck out two of the three outs on the side.
Davis received the loss for NJIT as he gave up four earned runs and seven hits over four innings.
Manhattan is back in action on Wednesday when the Jaspers travel to South Orange, N.J. for a meeting with BIG EAST member Seton Hall. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
