Box Score
Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and ultimately defeated Saint Peter's 5-2 on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park. With the victory, the Jaspers swept the three-game series with the Peacocks and improve their MAAC record to 11-13.
The Jaspers won seven of their last nine conference games, putting themselves in position for a MAAC Tournament berth if Fairfield defeats Marist (10-13 MAAC) in the final game of their series on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Manhattan scored in the first inning for the second straight game, putting up two runs for an early 2-0 lead. Brendan Slattery stroked a two-out RBI single to plate Chris Kalousdian, who reached on an infield single earlier with one out. Slattery and Jose Carrera then executed a perfect double steal on a first and third situation to plate the second run of the inning.
That was all freshman right-hander William Fabra would need. Fabra threw six terrific innings, allowing just two base hits. The Jaspers went ahead 5-0 in the fifth on a two-run double by Slattery and an RBI double by Jason Patnick. All three runs scored with two outs.
Saint Peter's got closer in the seventh, scoring two unearned runs against Manhattan reliever Michael Martin. With a runner at third and two outs, Martin struck out Michael Wulff to end the inning and keep the game at 5-2.
The Peacocks made the Jasper faithful sweat in the ninth inning, loading the bases with nobody out. Matt Simonetti then struck out Zach Rawson on three pitches and got the next batter to bounce one to Joe McClennan at third base. McClennan got a force play at the plate for the second out, then Simonetti retired pinch-hitter Vinny Maietta on a fly ball to Patnick in left field for the final out, sealing the series sweep.
"I'm really proud of their effort," head coach Jim Duffy said about his club after the game. "There was a time when we were 4-11 in conference. I'm really proud of them. We've done what's within our control and now we need help elsewhere."
Slattery was 2-for-4 with three RBI on the day of his graduate school commencement. Mikey Miranda also had two hits for the Jaspers and Jose Carrera stole two bases and scored two runs. Simonetti earned his first collegiate save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Manhattan finishes the regular season at 17-31 and 11-13 in the MAAC.
NOTES:
The Jaspers owned a 10-5 record at home this season ... Manhattan also finished 11-13 in the MAAC last season ... the Jaspers stole five bases in the game ... Manhattan got two outs on one play in odd fashion in the second and third innings ... in the second, Zach Rawson tried to advance to third on a hit-and-run single by Kyle Grimes ... Jason Patnick threw out Rawson at third and then Joe McClennan alertly fired to second base to throw out Grimes trying to advance ... in the third, Joe Kristoffersen grounded one to Brendan Slattery at first base ... Slattery threw to Jose Carrera covering second base for the second out of the inning ... Carrera's relay throw was not in time to turn the double play but Slattery fired home to get Michael Wulff, who rounded third base and tried to score on the play ... Manhattan's seniors will take part in the College's undergraduate commencement on Sunday.
