Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan freshman pitcher Michael Scarinci was spectacular on the mound as he delivered a complete game two-hitter to help lift the Jaspers to a 7-0 victory over Canisius in game one of the doubleheader on Sunday in Buffalo. Scarinci carried a perfect game into the sixth inning of the seven inning affair, the only thing that got in his way of perfection were a pair of infield hits in the last two frames. Then in game two, Manhattan (19-20, 10-5 MAAC) had its five game win streak snapped with Canisius (21-21, 8-4 MAAC) holding on for a 4-1 victory.
In game one, Scarinci rolled through the Canisius line up that entered the week ranked second in the MAAC in batting average. The freshman right hander from Nanuet, N.Y. retired all 21 batters that he faced, he struck out four Golden Griffs and did not give up a walk to earn his third conference victory.
Junior left fielder Joe Rock led the Manhattan offensive attack batting 2-for-3 with three RBI in the contest. Jaspers' junior designated hitter Ramon Ortega drove in two runs to extend his team leading total to 36 RBI.
For the second straight contest against the Golden Griffs, Manhattan jumped out front in the first inning after a lead off hit from junior center fielder Anthony Vega. Vega singled to center field, and then junior second baseman Nick Camastro was hit by a pitch to set the stage for the first run of the ballgame. Jaspers' junior first baseman Kyle Murphy laid down the sacrifice bunt to move the runners over and Ortega added an infield grounder that gave Manhattan a 1-0 advantage.
The Jaspers tacked on four runs in the third inning to expand its lead to 5-0. Manhattan's two out rally began with Ortega's RBI single down the left field line. Freshman third baseman Joe McClennan worked a walk with the bases loaded to draw the second run of the inning. Junior catcher Brendan Slattery and Rock added RBI singles to give Scarinci a five run cushion to work with.
Scarinci kept his perfect game alive through five innings after sitting down the first 15 batters in order. Rock added a two RBI double with two outs in the fifth inning that put Manhattan out to a 7-0 lead entering the sixth inning.
Canisius called on junior pinch hitter Christian Segar to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Segar came up with a single to third base that broke up Scarinci's perfect game and no hit bid. Scarinci went back to work and struck out freshman center fielder Mike Krische for the first out and he forced sophomore shortstop Ronnie Bernick to ground into an inning ending double play.
Scarinci returned to the mound in the seventh inning to wrap up his first career complete game shutout. He forced Golden Griffs sophomore second baseman Jose Torralba into a ground out, before sophomore left fielder Jesse Kelso reached base on another infield single to shortstop. But again, Scarinci relied on the Jaspers superb defense that leads the MAAC with a .970 fielding percentage. The threat was silenced with a game ending 4-6-3 double play as the Golden Griffs never reached second base in the entire contest.
Scarinci forced Canisius into 13 ground outs, two fly outs and two double plays to earn his fourth win of the season. Golden Griffs' starting pitcher Devon Stewart let in all seven of Manhattan's earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work. He fell to 3-2 on the year.
In game two, Canisius manufactured all four of its runs in the first inning off Manhattan starting pitcher Scott McClennan. McClennan settled in and allowed only two hits over the next 4 1/3 innings, but the Jaspers left seven runners on base and could not generate a comeback to sweep the three game MAAC series.
McClennan had to battle after giving up back-to-back walks that opened the bottom of the first inning. The Golden Griffs took advantage using a two RBI single from sophomore designated hitter Shane Zimmer, a RBI single from junior shortstop Manny Hernandez and a RBI fielder's choice from junior catcher Brooklyn Foster to open a 4-0 advantage.
Canisius junior starting pitcher Billy Martin held the Jaspers scoreless until the fifth inning when Rock knocked in his fourth run of the doubleheader. The junior left fielder's single up the middle let Joe McClennan come across home plate. Joe McClennan hit .667 (4-for-6) in the two games on Sunday.
Jaspers' senior Taylor Sewitt relieved Scott McClennan in the sixth inning, pitching two hitless innings with two strikeouts. Sewitt turned the ball over to Michael Martin who also held Canisius off the scoreboard as he retired two batters.
The solid bullpen effort kept Manhattan within striking distance, but the Jaspers could not generate more runs. Manhattan left four runners on base in the last three innings.
Martin picked up the game two win for Canisius as he went 7 1/3 innings and posted one strikeout. Golden Griffs' reliever Jon Fitzsimmons finished the contest by getting the last two outs to log his ninth save.
With the series victory over Canisius, Manhattan takes control of first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Manhattan has won 15 of its last 18 contests. The Jaspers return to action on Wednesday when they visit Albany at 3:30 p.m.
