Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Jaspers' sophomore starter Scott McClennan pitched seven strong innings, but for the second straight day Manhattan (1-11) could not get a run on the scoreboard as High Point (11-7) took a 2-0 decision on Sunday at Williard Stadium. The Panthers used five pitchers who combined for the shutout with junior starter Jacob Newberry picking up his second win of the season after going 5 2/3 innings.
McClennan struck out two batters, walked only one and gave up five hits in his second straight start without receiving run support. He turned the ball over to freshman left hander Nick Girardi who worked the eighth inning striking out two of the three batters he faced.
High Point freshman catcher Spencer Angelis drove in the first run of the ballgame in the second inning with a one-out infield grounder with runners on second and third base.
The Jaspers left 11 runners on base in the ballgame, including two in the top of the third inning. Manhattan could not capitalize on two errors by High Point in the frame as the Panthers preserved their 1-0 lead. Junior shortstop Nick Camastro could not come up with game-tying hit with two-outs and runners on first and third base as Newberry forced the Preseason All-MAAC selection into an infield ground out.
Manhattan missed another opportunity in the sixth inning when Camastro and junior catcher Ramon Ortega started a two-out rally with back-to-back singles. Sophomore right fielder Andrew Gorecki was hit by a pitch to load the bases and prompt High Point to call to the bullpen for reliever Kyle Wigmore. Wigmore stepped up in the big spot as he got Jaspers' junior Kyle Murphy to ground out ending the inning.
High Point tacked on its second run in the bottom of the sixth inning with Ryan Retz RBI single. The Jaspers attempted another two-out rally in the seventh inning, but it resulted in runners being stranded on first and second base. Camastro worked a lead off walk in the eighth inning and stole second base with one out before Panthers reliever Jamie Schultz came in and silenced the threat. Schultz closed the game by retiring five of the seven Jaspers he faced to pick up his fourth save of the season.
Manhattan has an opportunity to rebound next weekend when the Jaspers visit West Virginia. The four game set begins in Morgantown, W. Va. on Friday at 3 p.m. It will be the final road series of a season-opening 16 games away from home. The Jaspers will play their first contest at Van Cortlandt Park on Wednesday, March 21 against Hofstra at 3 p.m.
