Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Jaspers' senior third baseman Chad Salem drove in four runs as the Manhattan baseball team swept its doubleheader with Columbia (16-18) on Wednesday at Robertson Field. Manhattan (20-12) earned a 7-2 victory in game one, and then freshman Scott McClennan pitched a complete game shutout en route to a 6-0 victory in game two.
In game one, Salem launched his seventh home run this season in the fifth inning to help secure freshman pitcher Jared Hirschberg's third victory of the year. Hirschberg tossed three solid innings and struck out one batter as he won his second consecutive start.
Manhattan worked Lions' starter Harrison Slutsky for a pair of runs on two hits and an error before he could get out of the second inning. Jaspers' freshman second baseman Yoandry Galan got the scoring started with a one-out sacrifice fielder's choice to send home sophomore outfielder Anthony Vega. In the next at-bat senior centerfielder Mark Onorati fouled out to right field for the second out, but a throwing error allowed junior designated hitter Matt Troisi to score putting Manhattan ahead 2-0.
Columbia got on the scoreboard in the third inning when junior Jon Eisen registered a RBI single through the middle. Eisen hit 2-for-4 in the ballgame.
The Jaspers expanded their lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning when Salem blasted a two-run shot over the left field fence. Onorati came across home plate in the sixth inning when he stole third base and then trotted home on a throwing error. In the top of the seventh, Manhattan went up 7-1 with RBIs coming from Vega and Troisi.
Troisi finished 2-for-4 from the plate in his first start of the season.
Manhattan utilized relievers Dan Feinberg, Rob Ardino and Jacob Marchus to preserve its lead. The Jaspers' bullpen finished out the final four innings, let in only one run and walked just two batters.
In game two, McClennan let up just five hits and recorded two strikeouts to win his first collegiate contest. Manhattan also used senior first baseman Austin Sheffield's two RBI effort and his second home run of the season to win their fifth straight contest and 20th game of the season.
Salem posted his first of two RBIs in the game when he delivered a sacrifice fly in the first inning, which allowed Onorati to score after he led the contest off with his team-leading 14th double. Sheffield led off the fourth inning with a homer to left field and sophomore Ramon Ortega knocked in the Jaspers' second run of the inning to give Manhattan a 3-0 lead.
Manhattan recorded its last three runs in the fifth inning. Salem generated a walk with the bases loaded, and then Sheffield and senior Mike McCann each registered RBI sacrifice flies.
The Jaspers return to Van Cortlandt Park on Friday when Manhattan hosts a doubleheader with Canisius. Manhattan and Canisius will play game one at 9:30 a.m. and the second contest at 3:30 p.m.
