Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team was edged 7-6 by BIG EAST opponent Villanova (9-10) on Sunday afternoon in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Sophomore shortstop Nick Camastro led the Jaspers' offensive effort batting a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Manhattan (5-11) got on the scoreboard in the opening frame for the third time in as many games during its weekend road series and for the ninth time in 16 contests this season. The Jaspers jumped out to a two run lead in the first inning with RBIs coming from senior first baseman Austin Sheffield and Camastro.
The Wildcats scored in the second inning with a lead off home run from junior outfielder Matt Fleishman to pull within 2-1. It was the first of two earned runs Villanova worked off of Jaspers' starting pitcher Eric Luksis.
Luksis received additional run support in the top of the sixth inning when Sheffield scored on a throwing error and freshman second baseman Yoandry Galan drove in the next two runs with a two-out single to give Manhattan a 5-1 advantage. However, the Jaspers' lead quickly vanished when Villanova scored four runs on five hits and one error in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Fleishman got the Wildcats four-run surge started with a two RBI single up the middle, and then junior outfielder Jordan Zech knocked in the next two runs with a double down the left field line to lock the score at 5-5. Luksis recorded the first two outs in the sixth inning before Manhattan turned to its bullpen. The sophomore from Wappingers Falls, N.Y. recorded four strikeouts in the ballgame.
Camastro put Manhattan back ahead in the seventh inning with a two-out RBI single to go up 6-5, but the bullpen could not hold the Jaspers' lead. Freshman reliever Peter Cappiello recorded the first two-outs in the bottom of the seventh, before giving up a single and two walks to load the bases prompting a pitcher change. Manhattan went to freshman Scott McClennan who yielded a two-run, game winning double to pinch hitter Steve Schrenk sending Villanova ahead 7-6.
Wildcats' reliever Julian Diaz struck out two of the three Jaspers he retired in order in the eighth inning. He turned the ball over to senior closer Mike Francisco who shutdown Manhattan in the ninth for his sixth save of the year. Diaz earned the win after pitching two scoreless innings and allowing one hit. Cappiello received credit for the loss.
Manhattan senior Mark Onorati registered two hits in the ballgame, which marked his 10th multi-hit performance of the season.
The Jaspers return to Van Cortlandt Park on Wednesday for their home opener against Hofstra. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
