Madeira Beach, FL - Manhattan softball used an eight-run fifth inning to secure a comeback victory over Cornell on Sunday, February 24.
The Jaspers improved to 2-3 on the year in their final game at the Madeira Beach Invitational. Cornell falls to 0-5.
Highlights:
- Though Cornell jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Jaspers responded immediately, with Christine Gebhardt (Middletown, NJ / Middletown North) picking up two RBI on a triple to right center.
- Down 4-2 in the second, Manhattan's Lauren Pitney (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) got an RBI of her own, singling to left field and pulling the Jaspers within one.
- Both teams went scoreless over the next two innings, before Cornell put together a three-run stand in the fifth, putting the Big Red up 7-3.
- in the bottom of the inning, Manhattan's leading hitter Adriana Gambino (Stamford, CT / Westhill) drilled a triple to right field for an RBI, then scored on a wild pitch to spark the Manhattan comeback.
- Back-to-back singles from Kat Prevo (San Diego, CA / Our Lady of Peace) and Annie Moore (Northridge, CA / El Camino Real) knocked in three more runs, followed by a RBI SAC fly from catcher Daniela Chiorazzi (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland).
- Gebhardt then doubled to center field for an RBI, while Gambino got one more run in with a single to center before the inning was out, putting Manhattan on top 11-7.
- Kayla McDermott (Garnerville, NY / North Rockland) came into pitch for starter Stephanie Kristo (San Jose, CA / Archbishop Mitty) in the top of the sixth, holding the Big Red hitless in the inning.
- Cornell got two runs on three hits in the top of the seventh, but were unable to reach the Jaspers' huge run total, with the 11-9 decision going to the Jaspers.
- Gambino led Manhattan with three hits in the game, while Gebhardt, Moore and Prevo each got two. Gebhardt totaled a game-high three RBI, as well.
- Kristo (1-1) snagged the win for the Jaspers, her first of the year, while McDermott pulled off the save.
Up Next:
Manhattan will host Hartford in the team's home opener on Tuesday, March 5. The doubleheader will start at 1:00 p.m. at Gaelic Park.
