Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team dropped its first game in 24 days as the nation's longest active win streak ended at 10 victories with the Jaspers 6-5 loss at Columbia (13-15) on Wednesday. Jaspers' senior outfielder Mark Onorati set the program's career hits record (258), surpassing Kevin Nieto '10 with his team leading 11th double of the season.
Columbia raced out to a five run advantage and never looked back as Jaspers' freshman right-hander Kevin Bonanni received the loss in his third career start. Bonanni yielded three earned runs and recorded two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings of work.
The Lions got a pair of two-run homers in the first inning from Dario Pizzano and Jason Banos, and then tacked on its fifth run in the second inning with Nick Crucet's RBI triple. Manhattan scored two runs in the third inning with Nick Camastro and Chad Salem each crossing the plate on Kyle Murphy's fielder's choice to pull within 5-2.
Columbia extended its lead to 6-2 in the sixth inning with Banos second home run of the contest, which proved to be enough to hold off a late Jaspers' rally.
Manhattan (15-12) cut its deficit to 6-4 in the seventh inning on Onorati's RBI double to center field and senior Mike McCann's RBI single. Then in the eighth, the Jaspers got within one run on sophomore catcher Brendan Slattery's RBI double. However, Columbia reliever Tim Giel worked through the ninth inning posting two strikeouts to close out the victory.
The Jaspers utilized 14 position players and five pitchers in the contest. Senior Austin Sheffield was the only Jasper to record a multi-hit performance (2-for-4).
Columbia starter David Speer earned the victory after going 2 1/3 innings. He walked four batters and allowed two earned runs.
Manhattan returns to Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday when the Jaspers host Marist. The doubleheader begins at 12 p.m.
