Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Junior outfielder Anthony Vega and sophomore shortstop Yoandry Galan drove in two runs apiece to lift Manhattan (5-17) to an 8-5 victory over New York Institute of Technology (2-13) on Wednesday at Van Corltandt Park. Jaspers' senior first baseman Matt Troisi hit 3-for-3 and scored two runs as Manhattan improved to 2-0 at home.
Freshman right-hander Michael Scarinci, the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, pitched two solid innings out of the Manhattan bullpen to earn his second straight victory. Jasper sophomore relievers Scott McClennan and Jacob Marchus combined to hold NYIT scoreless over the final four frames. Marchus struck out two of the last three outs to earn his first save this year and the fifth of his career.
Manhattan matched NYIT by scoring two runs in the second inning and two in the third inning. The Bears' early scoring flurry featured a two run homer from catcher Nick Sebastian. Vega, Galan, Ramon Ortega and Andrew Gorecki each had RBI singles over the course of the two innings to lock Manhattan in a 4-4 tie with NYIT.
Junior designated hitter Nick Camastro gave the Jaspers their first lead of the ballgame in the fourth inning when he knocked in the run to put Manhattan on top 5-4. In the top of the fifth, Bears' centerfielder Robert Lotus answered with an equalizing RBI single through the left side to tie it at five apiece.
The Jaspers went ahead for good in the fifth inning with Galan's sacrifice fly, and then they added two more insurance runs in the next two frames. Camastro scored on a two out error in the sixth inning and Vega had a sacrifice fly in the seventh that gave Manhattan an 8-5 edge.
Jaspers' freshman Nick Girardi lasted three innings and had two strikeouts in his third career start. McClennan was exceptional on the mound for his three innings of work. He recorded two strikeouts, did not allow a walk and retired five the last six batters that he faced before turning the ball over to Marchus in the ninth inning.
Sebastian and Loftus drove in four of NYIT's five runs. Bears' reliever Michael Auriemmo registered only one out and was credited with the loss as he fell to 0-3 on the season.
Manhattan returns to Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday for the Jaspers first conference home series. The Jaspers will play a doubleheader with Iona beginning at 12 p.m. The series will conclude on Sunday with the final contest also beginning at noon.