Manhattan University Athletics

Madeira Beach, FL - Manhattan softball opened the 2018 season on Friday, February 23 at the Madeira Beach Invitational, dropping two games to Eastern Michigan and Arkansas. 

In the first game of the day, the Jaspers fell to EMU 4-2, with pitcher Kayla McDermott (Garnerville, NY / North Rockland) taking the loss. Down 1-0 going into the bottom of the first, senior Briana Matazinsky (Valley Falls, NY / Tamarac) got a base hit, reaching second on an error and allowing senior Shannon Puthe (Mullica Hill, NJ / Clearview Regional) to score.

The game remained tied through the third, until EMU went ahead in the top of the fourth on an RBI double. Manhattan quickly answered in the bottom of the inning, with Daniela Chiorazzi (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) sending a double to center field that allowed junior Lauren Pitney (Asonia, NY / St. Joseph's) to score. 

The Eagles once again broke the tie, but it wasn't until the seventh inning when EMU reached first on an error with the bases loaded, advancing all runners. The Eagles scored again when a walk also advanced all runners with the bases loaded. With the Jaspers unable to regain the runs in the bottom of the inning, EMU took the victory 4-2. 

Matazinksy pitched five innings, letting up five hits and two runs and striking out one. McDermott finishing the final two innings, letting up one hit and two runs. Christine Gebhardt (Middletown, NJ / Middletown North) went 2-4 at the plate, while Chiorazzi went 2-3. 

Later in the day, the Jaspers faced Arkansas, losing to the Razorbacks 9-1. Manhattan held off Arkansas for 3.5 innings, but the Razorbacks broke open scoring in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run homer to left field. The Eagles would score four more times in the next inning. 

Down 6-0 in the top of the sixth, Jasper Kat Prevo (San Diego, CA / Our Lady of Peace) singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw, allowing Gebhardt to score Manhattan's one run of the game. Unable to get an offense going, Manhattan fell  9-1 in the team's second game of the day. Sophomore Nicole Williams (Asonia, CT / Saint Joseph's) recorded the loss for the Jaspers. 

Up Next:
Manhattan faces day two of the Madeira Beach Invitational, where the team will play McNeese State at 11 a.m. and Rhode Island (at 4 p.m.).