Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team split its doubleheader on Saturday at the Panther Classic hosted by Pittsburgh. The Jaspers earned a 7-5 victory against Youngstown State (3-13) in game one, before they suffered a 6-5 setback to Pittsburgh (7-4) in game two.
In game one, Manhattan senior first baseman Kyle Murphy smashed two home runs in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Murphy finished with three RBI, while junior shortstop Yoandry Galan drove in two more runs in the triumph.
Manhattan (2-7) scored six of its seven runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Murphy gave the Jaspers their first lead of the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run shot to left field that made it 2-1. Sophomore center fielder Aidan John O'Leary tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning with a RBI single to left field.
Youngstown State answered with three runs on four hits in the top of the sixth inning to capture a 4-3 edge. Junior first baseman Marcus Heath got the scoring started with a RBI double. Josh White and Nick DiNello followed with RBI singles.
In the bottom of the sixth, Murphy launched his second homer of the day with one out to tie the contest at four. Galan then delivered a two-RBI single that gave Manhattan a lead it would not relinquish.
Jaspers' senior starter John Soldinger earned his first win of the year pitching six strong innings. He struck out three batters in the contest. Junior closer Jacob Marchus got the last three outs for his first save of the year and 13th of his career.
In game two, Manhattan could not maintain a three run lead it took by the third inning against Pittsburgh. Panthers' pinch hitter Boo Vazquez delivered a three-RBI triple in the bottom of the eighth inning to send Pittsburgh off to the one run win.
The Jaspers struck first with one out and runners on second and third in the top of the first inning as senior catcher Ramon Ortega got the first run across the plate on a ground ball to second base. Junior left fielder Brendan Slattery drove in the next run with a RBI double to left field.
Murphy recorded his fourth RBI of the day in the top of the third inning, which gave Manhattan a 3-0 lead. He knocked in Ortega with a single through the left side, who reached base with a two-out double.
Pittsburgh tied the game at 3-3 after scoring runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh inning. Panthers' second baseman Ronald Sucre had the RBI single in the seventh inning that tied the ballgame.
Manhattan responded in the top of the eighth inning when senior Matt Troisi recorded a two-RBI single. It put the Jaspers back out front 5-3. Troisi and Murphy each had two hits in the ballgame.
The Jaspers turned to the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning, after sophomore starting left-handed pitcher Michael Martin gave up a lead off single. Sophomore reliever Michael Scarinci then ran into trouble as the Panthers loaded the bases for Vazquez's game-winning triple. Martin tossed seven strong innings posting four strikeouts and he did not issue a walk.
Manhattan has two more games at the Panther Classic on Sunday. The Jaspers take on Youngstown State at 10:30 a.m. and Pittsburgh at 1:30 p.m.
