Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Jaspers' junior starting pitcher Mike Giordano dominated 10 shutout innings and recorded seven strikeouts, but the Manhattan bullpen could not hold on to a four run advantage in the 11th inning falling 5-4 at Niagara (7-37, 4-17 MAAC) on Sunday. Purple Eagles' senior outfielder Cam Stykemain delivered a two RBI single in the 11th and then scored the game winning run on a two-out walk off single by Evan Wexler to serve Manhattan (26-16, 16-1 MAAC) its first conference loss of the year.
Giordano went head-to-head with Purple Eagles' starting pitcher James Fort for the first seven scoreless innings, before continuing the pitchers duel with reliever Matt Meyer for the 8th, 9th and 10th innings. Giordano was brilliant for Manhattan as he allowed four of his five hits prior to the fifth inning and was nearly untouchable from the fifth inning through the 10th inning, before turning the ball over to the Jaspers' bullpen with a four run advantage. He yielded only two walks in the contest.
Manhattan's offense finally broke down the Niagara pitching staff in the 11th inning as it worked the bases loaded without recording an out. Senior Austin Sheffield walked, Mike McCann singled for the second time in the contest and Ramon Ortega was hit by a pitch to set the stage for the rally. The Purple Eagles turned to senior relief pitcher Brian Deering to help settle the situation.
The Jaspers' eventually scored the first run of the ballgame on a fielding error by first baseman Joel Klock, which allowed sophomore Anthony Vega to reach base and McCann to cross home plate. Freshman second baseman Yoandry Galan laid down a sacrifice bunt to get Manhattan's second run in, and then Onorati laced his team-leading 18th double down the right field line to extend the lead to 4-0.
Manhattan freshman Jacob Marchus was called on to relieve Giordano and close out the contest in the 11th inning. Marchus yielded back-to-back lead off singles, but forced Deering to hit into a double play leaving Niagara down to its final out as Manhattan held a four run advantage.
The Purple Eagles would not go away eventually scoring their first run of the game on Klock's RBI single to center field. A double by Thomas Rodrigues and walk to Wynton Bernard prompted Manhattan's call to the bullpen with the bases loaded. Jaspers' freshman Scott McClennan came in for Marchus only to give up a two-RBI single to Sykemain, and then a game-tying RBI single to Wagner which tied the game at 4-4. Jared Hirschberg replaced McClennan, but after a walk to Eric Hink which loaded the bases, Wexler registered the game winning single.
Deering received credit for his first win of the season. The Manhattan loss was accessed to McClennan who fell to 2-2 on the year.
Manhattan is back in action on Tuesday when the Jaspers travel to Bridgeport, Conn. to face Sacred Heart at 5 p.m.
