Box Score
Box Score
BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Manhattan and Delaware were tied at 3-3 until the top of the eighth inning, when the Blue Hens scored the go-ahead run on a balk, allowing Delaware to defeat the Jaspers 4-3 in the final game of the Campbell Invitational on Sunday afternoon.
After two scoreless innings, Delaware hung up three runs in the top of the third, scoring all three runs with two outs.
The Jaspers rallied with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Jose Carrera got the rally started with a bunt single on the first pitch he saw. Brendan Slattery continued Manhattan's aggressive approach by driving the first pitch he saw for an opposite-field double to put runners at second and third.
Andrew Gorecki followed with a single over second base to bring home Carrera, making it a 3-1 game. Gorecki reached second on the throw to third, which proved crucial, as Slattery and Gorecki each scampered home on wild pitches to tie the game at 3-3.
Manhattan starter Maxx Feldman kept the score tied by retiring 10 straight batters until the leadoff man drew a walk to start the seventh inning. Relievers Shawn Kanwisher and Casey Meyers combined to keep Delaware off the board as the game headed to the eighth tied at 3-3.
The Blue Hens got runners to first and third with one out in the eighth. Reliever Mike Vocatura got the second out on a foul popup but was called for a balk on the next batter that allowed the go-ahead run to score, helping Delaware take a 4-3 edge into the ninth.
Delaware closer Luke Alicknavitch retired the first two Jaspers in the ninth before Evan Brown stroked a single on an 0-2 pitch to keep the game going. Alicknavitch shut the door from there, getting the final out on a fly ball.
Feldman struck out five batters in 6 1/3 innings of work in his first start for the Jaspers. Four relievers - Kanwisher, Meyers, Vocatura and Michael Martin - combined for one-hit ball over the next 2 2/3 innings.
Brandon Hinkle started for Delaware and struck out five in eight innings of work.
Manhattan returns to action on Thursday, February 27 against #29 Oklahoma at 7 p.m. Eastern at the Arizona State Invitational in Surprise, Ariz.
NOTES:
Manhattan defeated Delaware 7-2 on Saturday afternoon ... the Jaspers committed just two errors during the four games this weekend ... Manhattan also racked up eight doubles during the weekend ... the Jaspers stole six bases in six tries.
