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Brooklyn, NY - Manhattan dropped an 8-5 decision to LIU Brooklyn in non-conference action at the LIU Field.
The Jaspers fall to 18-18 while the Blackbirds improve to 18-15.
In the top of the second, Manhattan opened up the scoring with a single run. Junior
Richie Barrella (Larchmont, NY / Canterbury Prep) led off with a single up the middle before freshman
Matt Padre (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central) followed with a walk. Barrella would later score when senior
Michael Pfenninger (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central) delivered a two-out RBI single through the right side.
LIU Brooklyn would take its first lead of the game with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning. Andre Turner singled with two outs before Brock Hallum reached via an error and Andrew Smith followed with a two-run triple in giving the hosts a 2-1 advantage.
The Jaspers rallied to tie the score up at 2-2 in the top of the sixth but the damage could have been worse as the visitors left the bases loaded. Padre reached for the third-straight time with a single before senior
Brandon Valls (Miami, FL / Dean CC) walked and sophomore
Alex Cerda (Miami, FL / Florida Christian Prep) singled to load up the bases. Pfenninger then worked a walk to plate Padre but the Blackbirds would evade further damage thanks to an inning-ending strikeout.
Turner immediately answered with a solo home run in the bottom part of the sixth in giving LIU Brooklyn before the Blackbirds added three runs in their next trip to the plate in assuming a 6-2 lead.
LIU Brooklyn extended its advantage to 8-2 in the bottom of the eighth before the Jaspers made it interesting in the ninth.
Pfenninger led off with a walk before pinch-hitter
Harold Calero (Paterson, NJ / Eastside) doubled. Freshman
Matt Morgan (Windemere, FL / Lake Highland Prep) then walked to load up the bases and graduate student
Matt Forlow (Cold Spring, NY / Haldane) followed with a two-run single to plate Pfenninger and Calero. Later in the frame, Barrella would trim it to 8-5 with a RBI single but Manhattan would be unable to get any closer.
Junior RHP
Matt Jones (Haddonfield, NJ / Haddonfield Memorial) was outstanding for the Jaspers, firing 3.0 hitless innings in earning a no-decision.
Barrella and Pena each had a pair of hits while Pfenninger reached safely three times on a single and two walks with two RBI while Padre singled, scored a run and drew two walks to highlight a 10-hit Manhattan offense.
Smith was 2-for-4 with a triple, home run and four RBI while Turner went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs to highlight the Blackbird attack.
The Jaspers return to action when they host Rider at Dutchess Stadium on Saturday, April 21 with first pitch tabbed for 12:00 pm.
