Box Score (PDF)
Boone, NC - Manhattan (1-3) dropped a 5-2 decision to Appalachian State (1-3) in the series opener between the teams at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.
Senior RHP
Ryan Takacs (Jackson, NJ / Jackson Memorial) was in total control over the first three frames in facing the minimum before running into trouble in the fourth.
Bailey led off the frame with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly Phillip Cole scored on a Kendall McGowan RBI double.
The Mountaineers added to the lead with three runs over their next two trips to the plate in opening up a 5-0 advantage.
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Over the first six innings, the Jaspers only had three runners reach base before finally denting the scoreboard in the seventh. Sophomore
Matt Padre (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central) broke up RHP Will Sprinkle's no-hit bid with a one-out single before
Dominic Palma (Hilton, NY / Hilton) was plunked. Each runner then moved up a base on a passed ball and junior
Alex Cerda (Miami, FL / Florida Christian Prep) took advantage with a two-run single.
Unfortunately, that would be as close as the visitors would get as Sprinkle collected the win, striking out four while yielding just one earned run over 7.0 innings, with RHP Kaleb Bowman picking up the save after firing a scoreless ninth.
Bailey Welch and Riley Smith each went 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI to highlight a seven-hit Appalachian State offense.
Takacs was solid on the mound over 5.1 innings before senior RHP
Joe DiTorrice (Montgomery, NJ / Montgomery) registered 2.2 scoreless frames of one-hit ball with four strikeouts.
The teams will conclude their series with a 12:00 pm doubleheader on Sunday, February 24.
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