LEWISTON, NY — Head coach Steven Rosen and Manhattan Baseball were patient with their approach, figuring things would eventually click during this weekend's series at Niagara. That turned into a reality as Manhattan edged past the Purple Eagles, 5-3, at Bobo Field on Saturday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Unlike the previous two days, Manhattan got off to the start it needed when Hunter Sute reached on an RBI walk that handed the Jaspers a 1-0 lead.
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Manhattan starting pitcher Joseph Duffield worked himself into trouble in the fourth inning as Niagara uncorked a pair of homers off the bats of Vincent Mauro and Jacob Brooks. The latter shot from Brooks was of the two-run variety, putting Niagara ahead 3-1.
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The Jaspers came through with a productive fifth to even the score at five. After Aidan Taclas got plunked by a pitch, Ryan Lordier continued his hot hitting by lacing a double down the left field line that scored Taclas to bring the Jaspers to within a run.
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With Sute up, Manhattan came through again. His two-out single scored Lordier from second to tie the game.
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Colin Basehore started the mini rally in the top of the sixth with Manhattan eyeing its second lead of the day. He doubled down the left field line and was brought home on an RBI single from Guriyandel Salva to retake a 4-3 lead for the Jaspers.
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Manhattan mustered its final run of the game on an RBI single in the ninth inning from Andreaus Lewis, which all but ensured the Manhattan victory.
STATS AND NOTES
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Joseph Duffield and Chris Fidanza tag-teamed the winning effort, with the former going four innings while giving up three runs, and the latter pitching five scoreless innings to take the win.
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Sute produced his fifth multi-RBI game of the season leading the way with two runs batted in.
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Trevor Hansen and Aidan Taclas each added two hits, with the latter increasing his average to .329.
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Ryan Lordier extended his hit streak to four games after recording an RBI double on Saturday.
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Manhattan dropped two of three games this weekend at Niagara.
QUOTES FROM MANHATTAN
Interim head coach Steven Rosen: "It was a good way to finish the weekend strong and bounce back with a win. Our pitching the last two days was tremendous, throwing with conviction and working ahead of hitters consistently. Today we played great defense behind Joe Duffield and Chris Fidanza who both gave us very strong performances. I'm proud of the response."
NEXT UP
The attention turns to the Battle of the Bronx on Wednesday, April 23 when Manhattan (13-23, 7-13 MAAC) visits Fordham (19-21, 10-8 A-10) at 3 p.m. The action from Houlihan Park at Jack Coffey Field will be available to watch on ESPN+.
Follow Manhattan Baseball on Instagram (@jaspersbaseball) and X (@JaspersBaseball).