Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College baseball team dropped a 12-5 decision to TCU (25-15) on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. Junior second baseman Nick Camastro drove in two of Manhattan's runs in the Jaspers second setback of the three game series. Manhattan could not keep up with the Horned Frogs' 18 hits as TCU's offense was powered by senior left fielder Jason Coats who went 4-for-5 from the plate with four RBI and he scored two runs.
Manhattan (20-22) struck first getting on the scoreboard in the opening frame when junior designated hitter Ramon Ortega laced an RBI double to left center field. It was his eighth double of the season and team-leading 37th RBI.
The Horned Frogs answered right back in the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back RBI doubles from junior catcher Josh Elander and Coats to give TCU a 2-1 advantage. Elander also had a hot bat as he drove in a game-high four runs and scored three times to complement Coats' offensive performance.
TCU then scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning to open a 6-1 lead for starting pitcher Andrew Mitchell. The Horned Frogs capitalized on two Manhattan errors and had five hits in the inning. Junior center fielder Kyle Von Tungeln got the surge going with a bunt RBI single. He later scored on a throwing error after stealing third base. Coats knocked in another run with a base hit and freshman designated hitter Kevin Cron singled in the last run.
Mitchell lasted until the fourth inning, but he could not manage a Jaspers' three run rally that forced TCU to turn to its bullpen. Five straight Jaspers reached base with two-outs. Consecutive singles by junior left fielder Joe Rock and sophomore shortstop Yoandry Galan sent in a run. Camastro drew a bases loaded walk and junior first baseman Kyle Murphy was hit by a pitch also with the bases full, which accounted for the next two runs.
Jaspers' freshman reliever Joe Mortillaro pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to carry Manhattan into the fifth inning limiting the deficit to two runs. After a one out walk, Manhattan called on freshman left-hander Nick Girardi. Elander capitalized on the pitching change as he got one good swing off the rookie, which was enough for a three run homer. Horned Frogs' third baseman Jantzen Witte added a RBI double to left field that opened a 10-4 advantage for TCU.
The Jaspers and Horned Frogs traded runs in the sixth inning as Camastro's RBI single was matched by freshman shortstop Keaton Jones' RBI double down the left field line. Coats tacked on a one-run double to left center field in the bottom of the eighth inning that expanded TCU's lead to 12-5.
Manhattan got only two innings out of starting pitcher Michael Scarinci, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week who was coming off a complete game two-hit shutout at Canisius on Sunday. Horned Frog's relief pitcher Travis Evans earned his first career victory as the left hander had three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Rock finished with two hits marking the third multi-hit game in his last four appearances, while Galan also recorded two hits as he is batting a team best .571 (8-for-14) in the last four games. Ortega finished with two hits as well, his ninth multi-hit game of the year.
Manhattan and TCU will square off in the final game of the weekend series on Sunday at 2 p.m. eastern. The live video and audio of the contest will be streamed at GoFrogs.com.
