Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team earned a doubleheader sweep of Saint Peter's (19-31, 9-11 MAAC) on Saturday to notch its 25th win and climb over the .500 plateau for the first time this season. The Jaspers maintained their perfect home record improving to 14-0 at Van Cortlandt Park with a 1-0 victory in game one of the MAAC series and a 6-3 triumph in game two.
Manhattan (25-24, 14-6 MAAC) rallied behind pitcher John Soldinger who delivered one of his top performances of the season in game one. The junior right hander tossed a five-hit complete game shutout without yielding a walk to earn his fifth win of the season.
The Jaspers' offense was led in the doubleheader by junior center fielder Anthony Vega who had three hits, stole three bases, walked twice and smashed his fifth home run of the season. He posted a .625 on-base percentage in the two games batting out of the lead off spot.
In game one, Soldinger struck out the side in the first inning and never slowed down. He finished with six strikeouts in the ballgame. Soldinger did not face more than four batters in any inning and he retired the side in order in five of the nine frames.
The Jaspers scored the sole run Soldinger would need in the second inning. Sophomore right fielder Andrew Gorecki worked a one out walk and freshman third baseman Joe McClennan followed with a double to left field. It set the stage for senior designated hitter Matt Troisi to drive Gorecki home.
Manhattan's spectacular defensive effort in the contest was anchored by sophomore shortstop Yoandry Galan. For the 14th time this season the Jaspers were errorless.
In the eighth inning, Galan came up with the defensive play of the day, which saved the possible game tying run from coming in. With two outs and a runner on first base, Galan made a back handed grab while moving to his right side on a bullet hit on the ground by Peacocks' senior shortstop Justyn Carter. Galan made a strong throw to get the Carter at first for the final out.
Soldinger moved to 4-2 in MAAC contests with the victory. Saint Peter's sophomore right hander Zachary Hopf was credited with the loss, despite a solid pitching performance which featured seven strikeouts and he allowed only three hits.
In game two, Manhattan senior pitcher Mike Giordano earned his 21st career win. Making his first home start of the season after missing five weeks with an injury, Giordano gave the Jaspers four strong innings as he limited Saint Peter's to three hits and he struck out three Peacocks in the 6-3 victory.
The Jaspers scored five of their six runs in the first two innings. A pair of errors by Saint Peter's in the first inning led to the first two runs of the ballgame. Jaspers' junior catcher Brendan Slattery's single and a fielding error by the centerfielder on the play allowed the two runs to come in. Vega turned on his fifth home run of the season in the second inning, a three run shot that exited right field in a hurry to put Manhattan on top 5-0.
Freshman reliever Michael Scarinci pitched the next two scoreless innings after Giordano as Manhattan kept Saint Peter's off the scoreboard for the first 15 innings of the doubleheader. In the bottom of the sixth inning, junior first baseman Kyle Murphy expanded the Jaspers lead to 6-0 with a sacrifice fly
The Peacocks scored all three of their runs in the final frame of the seven inning affair, before sophomore reliever Jacob Marchus closed the door on their comeback bid. Jaspers senior Matt Jordan walked four straight batters to begin the seventh inning. Marchus was forced to settle a bases loaded situation and record all three outs of the inning to pick up his sixth save of the year.
Manhattan will go for the series sweep of Saint Peter's on Sunday. The Jaspers 'Senior Day' ceremony is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. and first pitch is slated for noon.
