Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan came up on the short end of a 7-3 decision at Florida Atlantic (6-1) in the fourth game of the Jaspers season opening series on Sunday. The Jaspers couldn't hold on to a one run edge as the Owls scored six of their seven runs in their final two frames to get past Manhattan (1-3).
Senior right-hander Mike Giordano carried Manhattan through the sixth inning with a 2-1 advantage, but the Jaspers bullpen could not hold on. Manhattan sophomore Jared Hirschberg let in four runs and senior Taylor Sewitt yielded two more in the eighth inning.
The Jaspers got on the scoreboard in the second inning with junior shortstop Nick Camastro providing a two-run double. Camastro had a pair of hits on the afternoon and finished the series batting .529 (9-17).
Florida Atlantic senior outfielder Alex Hudak homered in the bottom of the second inning to pull within 2-1, which was the only blemish on Giordano's stat line in his season debut. He struck out four batters and allowed just five hits to the Owls.
Owls' catcher Mike Albaladejo tied the ballgame at two in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly, and then junior designated hitter Corey Keller delivered the go ahead run with a single through the right side. Kyle Newton homered off Hirschberg to lead off the eighth inning, which was followed by Albaladejo's one-run single and Nathan Pittman's two-RBI double to open the contest up.
Junior reliever R.J. Alvarez was credited with the victory for Florida Atlantic after pitching 2 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and only two hits. Jaspers' catcher Ramon Ortega matched Camastro with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate and he had his second RBI of the series in the ninth inning.
Manhattan continues its season opening 16-game road series next weekend when the Jaspers travel to Maryland for a four game set. The Jaspers and Terps kick it off on Friday at 4 p.m.
