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RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team rides into its three game MAAC series with Niagara (13-26, 9-6 MAAC) this weekend at Van Cortlandt Park on a five game win streak. The Jaspers and Purple Eagles will kick off the series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon. Fans can listen to all the action live exclusively at GoJaspers.com courtesy of Manhattan Athletics' play-by-play broadcaster Ed Cohen. A live blog and live stats will also be available throughout the series.
Manhattan (21-13, 7-5 MAAC) looks to maintain its unblemished home record as it enters Saturday's contests 6-0 at Van Cortlandt Park this season. The Jaspers are coming off its most convincing victory in over a month with a 17-6 rout at Albany on Wednesday. It was Manhattan's largest margin of victory since March 12 when the Jaspers cruised to a 13-1 triumph at BIG EAST member West Virginia.
In the Jaspers' victory over the Great Danes, junior Chad Salem had a field day at the plate. The third baseman from Rye, N.Y. launched his team-leading 12th home run and increased his RBI total (52) to tops in the MAAC. Salem is batting .410 on the season, second in the league only to teammate Mark Onorati who is now hitting .415 after a 3-for-4 performance against Albany. Onorati also leads Manhattan with 54 hits and 14 doubles.
Manhattan's projected rotation for Saturday will be senior oriented with Mike Gazzola as the game one starter and Tom Costigan in game two. Gazzola, the 2009 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, is 4-2 this season and has won three of his last four starts. Costigan will make his 45th career start donning the Kelly Green and White standing tied for second in program history for wins (24) with former standout Josh Santerre '07. Costigan is 4-2 this season with a 3.46 ERA in conference games. Jaspers' freshman lefthander Eric Luksis is expected to start game three on Sunday.
Niagara enters the series in third place in the MAAC standings, one spot ahead of the Jaspers. The Purple Eagles have lost five of their last six contests and dropped their last two conference series at home to Marist and Fairfield. Niagara is led by senior Jason Cramer who is batting a team-best .331. Outfielder Matt Wietlispach tops the Purple Eagles with seven home runs and 30 RBI.
Probable Starters
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Game 1 12 p.m.
Manhattan - LHP Mike Gazzola (4-2, 8.02 ERA) vs. Niagara - LHP Daniel Morari (3-6, 5.61 ERA)
Game 2 Approx. 3 p.m.
Manhattan - RHP Tom Costigan (4-2, 5.03 ERA) vs. Niagara - RHP Marcus Spaulding (0-4, 11.70 ERA)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Game 3 12 p.m.
Manhattan - LHP Eric Luksis (2-4, 7.25 ERA) vs. Niagara - RHP Bill Rafferty (4-5, 7.09 ERA)
