Miami, Fla. (March 13, 2007)- Josh Santerre worked eight strong innings, and Dom Lombardi and Matt Rizzotti each drove in two runs as Manhattan posted a wire-to-wire, 5-4, win at Florida International tonight.
Manhattan scored first, manufacturing a run in the top of the first. Leading off the game, Eric Nieto drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch, and stole second. Cleanup hitter Rizzotti also produced with the count at 3-2, this time two outs, lacing a single through the right side to score Nieto.
The score remained at 1-0 until the top of the fifth, until the bottom of the Manhattan lineup set the table for a three run explosion. With one out, Nunzio Franzese and Rene Ruiz hit consecutive singles, and executed a double steal on an aggressive play to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. The next batter, Lombardi, roped a triple to left center, chasing home Franzese and Ruiz. Mike Garcia would single through the left side in the ensuing at bat, scoring Lombardi and making the score 4-0 in favor of the visitors.
Florida International, who has already posted wins over Rhode Island, Boston College, and Rutgers, responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, the first on a solo homer and the second on a RBI groundout. One inning later, another solo blast brought the Panthers to within one, 4-3.
In the top of the seventh, the Jaspers push the lead back to two, 5-3. With two outs, Garcia walked and stole second, coming around to score on a Rizzotti single.
In the bottom of the eighth, a hit batsman and a double would again bring FIU to a single run, 5-4.
Tom Costigan came on in the bottom of the ninth to close things out, setting down the final two batters in order with the tying run in scoring position to earn his first collegiate save.
Josh Santerre earned the win, working eight innings and striking out six.
Lombardi (1-5, triple) and Rizzotti (2-4) each tallied two RBI to pace the Manhattan offense. Garcia (2-4, RBI, run) and Franzese (2-4, run, stolen base) joined Rizzotti as Jaspers with multi-hit games.
The two teams conclude what has become an annual two-game series tomorrow, Wednesday March 14. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.
