Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Senior Austin Sheffield launched a solo home run in the bottom sixth inning to propel Manhattan (22-12, 14-0 MAAC) to a 1-0 victory over Canisius and Golden Griffs' senior starting pitcher Shane Davis, who entered the contest a perfect 6-0 against the Jaspers in his career. Jaspers' sophomore Eric Luksis was brilliant on the mound as he tossed his fourth complete game of the season, tying a career-high with seven strikeouts to finish off the doubleheader sweep of Canisius (17-20, 6-5 MAAC) on Friday at Van Cortlandt Park.
Luksis was hitless through the first three innings, and he limited Canisius to only four hits total in the seven inning affair to win his fourth consecutive start. Davis was nearly as good for the Golden Griffs allowing five hits while striking out four, but his costly mistake to Sheffield was the difference.
Manhattan stranded five bases runners and missed a few of prime opportunities to get a run across the plate, before Sheffield's heroics in the sixth inning. The first baseman from Augusta, Ga. pulled his first good look at a pitch from Davis just wide of the left field foul pole, but then he straightened it out when he sent the very next pitch deep over the center field fence. It was Sheffield's third homer of the season, which kept Manhattan undefeated in the MAAC and a perfect 9-0 at home.
Luksis powered through the seventh inning to secure the Jaspers' seventh consecutive victory. After giving up a lead off single to Golden Griffs' senior catcher Andrew Russo, Luksis struck out two of the three outs in the frame to finish off the pitchers duel which lasted only one-hour and thirty-two minutes.
Manhattan and Canisius are scheduled to complete the three-game series with the final contest set for Saturday at 12 p.m. Continue to visit GoJaspers.com for the most up-to-date scheduling information.
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