Seven-Run Sixth Lifts Jaspers to Comeback Victory

RIVERDALE, NY – Trailing by six runs, the Manhattan College softball team (10-7) put up a seven-spot in the bottom of the sixth inning to turn an 8-2 deficit into a 9-8 victory over LIU Brooklyn (11-20) at Gaelic Park on Thursday.  Emily Cutler (Bloomingdale, NJ) drove in the winning runs with a two-out, two-run single down the right field line.

After the Blackbirds built an 8-2 lead, Manhattan began its comeback in earnest when Rachael Mumma (Mechanicsburg, PA) reached on an error.  She moved to second on another error, then scored on an errant throw home after Alexa Dawid (Milford, CT) singled.  With first base open, Elena Bowman (San Mateo, CA) was intentionally walked to load the bases.  LIU Brooklyn got the out at home when Jenn Vazquez (Fairfield, CT) sent a grounder to third, which brought up Briana Matazinsky (Valley Falls, NY).  And she crushed a grand slam to left that cut the Jaspers' deficit to 8-7.

Matazinsky's grand slam chased LIU Brooklyn starter Tallie Woodson, who was relieved by Erynn Sobieski.  However, she gave up a walk and a single to the first two batters she faced before getting a groundout.  After Mumma walked to load the bases, Cutler poked one just fair down the right field line to put Manhattan in front 9-8.  Anna Crowley (Eastchester, NY) then retired the Blackbirds in order in the seventh to finish off the victory.

“It shows the resiliency of this team,” Head Coach Tom Pardalis said.  “We didn't give in after falling behind.  We battled back, took advantage of their mistakes, and got some timely hits.  This was a very good team win.”

LIU Brooklyn scored twice in the top of the first, but the Jaspers got one back on Bowman's RBI double in the bottom half of the inning.  However, the Blackbirds extended their advantage to 7-1 before Victoria Ross (Bloomfield, NJ) lifted a sacrifice fly to center in the bottom of the fifth.  LIU Brooklyn countered with a run in the top of the sixth, though, to increase its lead to 8-2.

Cutler finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Dawid was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.  Bowman reached base in all four of her plate appearances, ending up 2-for-2 with two walks.  In addition to going 1-for-3 at the plate with a grand slam, Matazinsky got the start in the circle.  She yielded six runs (four earned) on eight hits, walked three and struck out one in two-plus innings.  Stephanie Kristo (San Jose, CA) tossed three innings of relief, surrendering one run on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.  Crowley (1-0) earned her first win of the year after allowing one run on two hits and issuing one walk in two innings of work.

The Blackbirds outhit the Jaspers 15-11, with Kylie Mullholland going 3-for-5 at the plate.  She scored three runs and knocked in another.  Kayla Gloady finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Ariana Lopez was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs.  Woodson was charged with seven runs (one earned) on nine hits and four walks in 5.1 innings.  Sobieski (6-13) took the loss after giving up two runs on two hits in 0.2 innings.  She also walked two and struck out one.