Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Jaspers' sophomore pitcher John Soldinger won his fourth consecutive start to keep Manhattan (16-12, 10-0 MAAC) undefeated in the conference and at Van Cortlandt Park with a 5-1 victory over Marist (22-10, 4-6 MAAC) on Friday. Senior third baseman Chad Salem delivered the game breaking three-run RBI double to begin a five-run third inning surge, which helped Manhattan win its 11th contest in the last 12 games.
Soldinger struck out six batters marking the fifth time in eight starts this season that he has recorded five or more strikeouts. Over his 8 1/3 innings of work, his only blunder came in the third inning when Red Foxes' centerfielder Michael Gallic unleashed a solo home run to left field. The shot broke a scoreless tie.
Gallic led the Red Foxes offense hitting 4-for-5 on the afternoon.
Manhattan's offense immediately responded in the bottom of the third inning as the Jaspers capitalized on five hits and two errors to take a 5-1 advantage. Sophomore outfielder Anthony Vega's lead off single sparked the rally. Senior Mark Onorati was hit by a pitch, and then sophomore Nick Camastro singled down the left field line to set the stage for Salem.
Salem, the Jaspers' RBI leader (31), uncorked a bases clearing double to the right-center field gap to get three runs on the scoreboard. It was his 11th double of the season. Salem scored later in the inning on a throwing error and sophomore designated hitter Kyle Murphy got the fifth run across on a sacrifice fly.
Salem and sophomore catcher Ramon Ortega led Manhattan with two hits apiece.
Soldinger battled his way into the ninth inning in what looked like it could be his fifth complete game of the season. The Bay Shore, N.Y. retired 10 of the 13 batters he faced from the sixth inning until he recorded the first out in the ninth, but after a walk to Red Foxes' outfielder Jake Berry Manhattan turned to the bullpen.
Jaspers' freshman pitcher Jacob Marchus recorded the final two outs in the non-save situation. Marchus extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to six. Marchus has not yielded a run in his last seven appearances, dating back to March 13 at Tennessee.
Manhattan was error free in the ballgame, while Marist committed three which were costly to starter Chad Gallagher who threw eight innings and yielded three earned runs. Gallagher finished with five strikeouts.
Manhattan and Marist complete the series on Sunday with a doubleheader at Van Cortlandt Park beginning at 12 p.m.
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