Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Trailing 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 11th, Manhattan loaded the bases with one out and pushed across two runs to capture a 5-4 victory in the opener against Monmouth on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park.
In game two, the Hawks scored four times in the sixth inning and twice in the seventh to break open a scoreless game to win, 6-0.
Game 1 Recap | Box Score
After a scoreless first three innings, Monmouth went ahead 1-0 in the top half of the fourth when Jon Guida singled home Grant Lamberton with two outs to plate an unearned run against Manhattan starter Joey Rocchietti, who went eight strong innings on the mound.
The Jaspers responded in their half of the fourth to tie the game at 1-1, also scoring with two outs. This time, it was Joe McClennan, who found a hole through the left side of the infield to score Chris Kalousdian, who singled to start the inning.
Manhattan took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on another two-out attack. Jose Carrera dropped a double down the right field with two outs and Kalousdian singled up the middle to score Carrera, giving the Jaspers a one-run lead.
The lead didn't last long as Monmouth scored twice in the top of the sixth inning to regain the lead. Danny Avella took the first pitch of the inning over the right field fence to tie the game at 2-2. The Hawks eventually loaded the bases with one out and the game tied when Steve Wilgus lofted a fly ball to center field. The runner tagged from third, appeared to leave the bag before center fielder Jason Patnick caught the ball, and came home to score. The Jaspers appealed the play to no avail and Monmouth went ahead, 3-2.
Trailing by a run in the seventh inning, the Jaspers loaded the bases on a hit by pitch and two infield singles. Patnick tied it up by drilling a sacrifice fly of his own to score Chris Reynolds, knotting the game at 3-3.
Joe Jacques came on in relief of Rocchietti to start the ninth and the Hawks got runners on the corners with one out. Jacques was able to freeze Avella on a called third strike, then retierd Lamberton on a slow roller to McClennan at second base to end the inning, keeping the game tied.
In the 11th, Monmouth loaded the bases with two outs when Lamberton stepped in against Jacques. Lamberton hit a slow roller on the left side of the infield. Third baseman Elias Monsalve charged and fired across the diamond, but Lamberton beat the throw by a half step, allowing the go-ahead run to score. That put Monmouth in front 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 11th inning.
Monmouth reliever Frank Trimarco got the first out of the frame before serving up a line-drive single to Reynolds with one out. The Hawks summoned closer Jeff Paglione into the game to face Jose Carrera. Hitting from the left side for the first time in the game, Carrera served one that landed inside the left field line for a double, putting runners in scoring position with one out.
Chris Kalousdian followed by drawing a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Jason Patnick then took a 1-0 pitch off his leg to score the tying run, pushing the winning run to third base for cleanup hitter Christian Santisteban. The sidearmer Paglione threw a 2-2 fastball away to Santisteban and he went with the pitch, lining a game-winning single past the drawn-in infield to score Carrera, giving the Jaspers the 5-4 victory.
Carrera was 4-for-6 in game one with two runs scored. Kalousdian went 3-for-5 in the game and Santisteban and McClennan each had two base hits.
Jacques received his first victory of the season, going three innings, allowing an unearned run and three base hits. In his eight innings, Rocchietti allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits.
Game 2 Recap | Box Score
The second game started in a similar fashion to the first game as both starting pitchers dominated early. Nick Girardi made his first start of the season for Manhattan, throwing three scoreless frames, allowing just two base hits while striking out three.
Monmouth starter T.J. Hunt was just as strong, as he yielded just two hits over the first three innings.
The game was scoreless into the sixth inning as Michael Martin pitched two scoreless innings of relief, backing up Girardi. Monmouth finally dented the scoreboard in the sixth, pushing four runs across on the help of four hits and two errors.
Chris Kalousdian led off the Manhattan half of the sixth with a well-placed single into left field but Hunt promptly erased him on a 5-4-3 double play, nicely started by Robbie Alessandrine on a short hop.
Hunt worked all seven innings, earning the complete game shutout. He scattered four singles, struck out seven and walked one batter.
Manhattan and Monmouth will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday, April 13 at noon at Van Cortlandt Park.
