Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan scored in eight of nine innings, posted the most runs in a game in more than a year, but the Jaspers' ninth inning comeback rally fell short dropping a 23-20 slugfest at Canisius (32-16, 14-2 MAAC) on Saturday in Buffalo. Junior outfielder Mike McCann helped anchor the Jaspers' fiery offense with a career-high six RBI, four runs scored and his eighth home run of the season. Mark Onorati, Anthony Armenio and Ramon Ortega also hit homers as Manhattan's (25-14) nine game win streak was snapped.
Onorati got right to work launching a solo home run in the game's very first at bat to give the Jaspers' an immediate edge. The junior from Williston Park, N.Y. went 2-for-4 in the contest, improving his MAAC leading batting average to .436.
Manhattan starter Mike Gazzola rolled through the first two innings on the hill striking out three of the Golden Griffins' first six outs. Meanwhile, the Jaspers tacked on four more runs in the top of the third inning to extend their advantage to 5-0. The inning featured a three-run blast from McCann, marking his third homer in the last four contests. McCann has had the hottest bat in the Jaspers' line up over the last four games with a .611 (11-18) average and 17 RBI.
Gazzola ran into some trouble in the third inning allowing Canisius to lock the game at five apiece, including junior second baseman Steve McQuail's grand slam. Manhattan regained a lead in the fourth inning with two runs on three hits. Armenio, who hit 3-for-6 and scored three runs in the ballgame, led off the frame with a single to left field. Two outs and a 10 minute weather delay later, freshman shortstop Nick Camastro delivered an RBI single up the middle. The Jaspers went up 7-5 on a double steal, which Camastro came home on.
The Golden Griffs grabbed their first lead (9-7) posting four runs in the fourth inning. McQuail notched his sixth RBI with a two-run double in the frame. Catchers Ortega and Golden Griffs Paul Panik each knocked in runs in the fifth inning. Then Manhattan went ahead 12-10 with four runs in the top of the sixth. McCann contributed a two-run double, junior first baseman Austin Sheffield had a RBI, and then McCann capped the inning taking home on another double steal.
Canisius touched up Jaspers' sophomore reliever Mike Giordano in the sixth inning working nine more runs on the board to quickly go up 19-12. Golden Griffs' senior outfielder Ian Choy took advantage in his second at bat of the inning with a grand slam to right field off the Jaspers' second relief pitcher Tom Moran.
The Jaspers began a difficult uphill climb scoring a run in the seventh and another in the eighth with Armenio's ninth homer of the season and 21st of his career. After allowing four more Canisius runs during these two innings, Manhattan faced a 23-14 deficit heading into the ninth.
Junior third baseman Chad Salem kept the Jaspers' chances alive with his 11th double of the year. McCann knocked a run in, which preceded Sheffield's two-run single. Still with no outs, Ortega took advantage of Golden Griffs' reliever Josh Marshall by launching a three run homer to pull within 23-20. That was as close as Manhattan could get as Marshall eventually pieced together the final three outs.
Seven of the Jaspers' starters contributed multi-hit efforts, including Camastro's perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate. Ortega tied a career-high with four RBI, Sheffield added three and Onorati chipped in two.
Marshall (6-0) received the victory, despite allowing eight earned runs. Manhattan lit up Canisius starter Chris Cox for 12 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Giordano was credited with the loss as he moves to 5-2 on the year.
Manhattan and Canisius will resume action on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. at Demske Sports Complex.
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