Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The two-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Manhattan Jaspers kicked off the 2013 campaign Friday at Florida International with the Jaspers suffering a 14-4 setback to the Panthers. Manhattan (0-1) opened a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning with sophomore third baseman Joe McClennan's solo homer. Florida International (4-1) responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to regain a lead it would not relinquish.
McClennan reached base on all four trips to the plate and scored two of Manhattan's four runs. Jaspers' senior second baseman Nick Camastro also had a solid season-debut going 2-for-3 with a walk and one run scored.
Panthers' junior outfielder Zach Sweety got things going when he launched a solo home run with one out in the first inning to put the first run on the scoreboard. Sweety finished with three RBI and scored two runs.
The Jaspers' bats warmed up in the third inning beginning with back-to-back singles by junior outfielder Chris Kalousdian and Camastro to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt from Yoandry Galan, senior catcher Ramon Ortega tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center field. Junior outfielder Brendan Slattery then gave Manhattan its first lead of the season with a two-out RBI double, making it a 2-1 ballgame.
McClennan extended Manhattan's lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning with a lead off blast that exited left field in a hurry. It was his second career home run.
Florida International put four runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning to claim a 5-3 advantage. The Panthers scored all four runs with one out, beginning with second baseman T.J. Shantz's RBI single . Freshman first baseman Edwin Rios followed with a two-run double, and then junior outfielder Tyler Hibbert capped the surge with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Junior outfielder Andrew Gorecki got Manhattan within one run in the top of the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly. But the Panthers answered in the bottom of the frame with a three run flurry. A throwing error by sophomore pitcher Michael Martin allowed the first run in. Panthers' freshman Mandy Alvarez had a RBI single, which was followed by Hibbert's RBI fielder's choice that made it an 8-4 ballgame.
Florida International tacked on six more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to put the game out of reach. Sweety contributed two more runs with a single, topping off a 2-for-4 night at the plate.
Panthers' starter Michael Ellis earned the win after giving up four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. The junior right-hander from British Columbia had two strikeouts and yielded three walks. Manhattan starter John Soldinger went five innings, giving up six earned runs as he was credited with the loss.
Manhattan and Florida International will play the second contest of the three game weekend set at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The clubs complete the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.