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Box Score 2 LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Joey Rocchietti allowed two runs over nine innings and Michael Martin tossed two shutout innings in extras to help the Jaspers defeat Rider 3-2 in 11 innings in Saturday's doubleheader opener. Jason Patnick singled home the go-ahead run in the 11th and Martin worked around a leadoff runner in the bottom of the frame to earn the win.
In the nightcap, Rider blanked Manhattan 7-0 in seven innings. The two teams will play the final game of the series on Sunday at noon.
Game 1 Recap | Box Score
Manhattan freshman Joey Rocchietti was outstanding in the game, going nine strong innings in a game that went 11. Rocchietti allowed two runs on six hits and struck out a career-high seven batters.
Rider only got to Rocchietti in the third. Brian Donnelly and Nick Richter connected on consecutive one-out singles before Rocchietti retired the second batter of the frame. Justin Thomas and Nick Crescenzo followed with two-out RBI singles to plate both runners, giving the Broncs a 2-0 lead after three.
Christian Santisteban led off the Manhattan fourth by clubbing his second home run of the season over the right field fence. The Jaspers tied the game in the sixth when Joe McClennan's two-out double scored Santisteban, who led off with a single.
After Rider's two-run third, Rocchietti did not allow a base hit until Donnelly singled with two outs in the seventh. Rocchietti had to work around a leadoff single in the ninth but got two ground ball outs to send the game into extra innings.
Both teams went quietly in the 10th, setting the stage for the Manhattan 11th. Jose Carrera led off with a bunt single. Santisteban then ripped a double to right center to put runners in scoring position. After Rider issued an intentional walk to pinch-hitter Andrew Gorecki, Jason Patnick stroked a single to right field to plate Carrera with the go-ahead run. Rider reliever John Sharik was able to prevent further damage, but Manhattan still held a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the inning.
After retiring Rider in order in the 10th, Michael Martin allowed a leadoff single to Thomas, but then set the next three batters down in order, giving the Jaspers the 3-2 win. It was Martin's second victory of the season.
Game 2 Recap | Box Score
As good as Rocchietti was in game one, Rider's Zach Mawson was as good in game two. Mawson allowed just two base hits - both by Chris Kalousdian - in a seven-inning complete game shutout.
Kalousdian singled and Jason Patnick walked with one out in the top of the first inning, but Mawson retired Santisteban on a fly ball and Kalousdian was caught stealing third to end the frame.
Rider cashed in a run in its half of the first on a sacrifice fly by Crescenzo, then got one more in the third against game two starter Joe Jacques. Rider's big inning was the fourth, when the Broncs scored three times to take a 5-0 lead. Two more runs in the fifth made it 7-0 Rider as Mawson was in control at that point.
The two teams will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday, April 27 at noon.
NOTES:
Two weeks ago, Manhattan defeated Monmouth in 11 innings in the opener of that three-game series ... the Jaspers are 2-1 in extra innings this season ... Christian Santisteban went 3-for-5 and scored two runs in game one ... Manhattan walked four times and struck out just once in game two ... Manhattan's pitching staff has allowed just six home runs in 38 games, or one home run every 198 at-bats.
