Baseball Drops Series Opener to Marshall

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – The Manhattan Jasper baseball team, led by a striking effort from the mound, battled the Marshall Herd Friday afternoon. In the foes opening game at Jack Cook Field, the Jaspers failed to connect all pieces and dropped the first game of the series in a 3-0 loss.
 
"Today was an exciting day for Marshall and we were happy to be a part of a special opening day for The Herd and their new ballpark," said head coach Dave Miller. The Herd hosted 3,124 fans on the inaguaral day.
 
Justine Solimine (1-2) was credited with the loss. The right-hander threw four and one-third innings, allowing two runs on five hits. The Herd opened scoring in the bottom of the first with a solo homer from T Hondras, but Solimine stalled any other damage with three of his (season/career-high) seven strikeouts on the day.
 
John Kwiatkowski pitch two-thirds innings of perfect relief to round out the fifth and Greg Shaw closed out the final three innings of the game. Marshall's Owen Ayers took Shaw for a solo home run in the seventh to end scoring on the day.
 
"Justin and the rest of the staff pitched a great game all around," added Miller. "Today was a tough loss when you go out and pitch the way we did, but that's baseball."
 
"We are close but need to get the bats going and be more confident and consistent. We are striking out way too much and not competing at the plate. It will come around, and when it does, we will be a scary team."
 
In the top of the third, J Stemhagen singled up the middle to put the tying run on base, but winning pitcher Drew Harlow retired the side to stop the charge. Manhattan had at least one player reach base in the next five innings, but they were unable to get passed second, halting the Jasper's chances of rounding the bases.

The Herd added a sacrifice fly RBI in the third and a solo home run in the seventh to earn the series opening win. 

Four different Jaspers recorded a hit, but were unable to transition them into runs scored. Justin Solimine pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs, while striking out seven batters.

Game two is set for a 3 p.m. first pitch and can be streamed on ESPN+.