Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Game Two: Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF)
Game One: Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF)
MIAMI, Fla. - Manhattan erupted for five runs in the top of the seventh inning en route to posting a thrilling come-from-behind 5-3 victory over FIU in the second game of a doubleheader at the FIU Baseball Field.
Senior RHP Michael Scarinci (Nanuet, N.Y. / Pearl River) was the story of the day, tossing 5.0 innings of one-hit relief in collecting his first win since the 2013 season.
The Panthers claimed game one by a 17-0 count and improved to 6-5 with the split while the Jaspers are now 1-6.
Game Two Recap:
FIU opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first but the damage could have been worse but sophomore LHP Joe Jacques (Shrewsbury, N.J. / Red Bank Regional) stranded a pair to avoid a potentially big frame.
The Panthers threatened again in the third as the first two batters reached safely. However, Jacques induced a double-play grounder to freshman Michael Pfenninger (Flemington, N.J. / Hunterdon Central) at third before getting the final out via a routine fly.
FIU would add to the lead in the fifth with a pair of runs but the damage could have been much worse. The Panthers loaded the bases with no outs while forcing Jacques from the game. Scarinci walked the first batter he faced in relief to force in a run, but would rebound to strike the next batter out before inducing an easy pop up for the second out. FIU would get one more run via another walk but that would leave three on the bases.
After being held scoreless for the first 15 innings on the day, Manhattan finally broke through in the in the top of the seventh in scoring five times while batting around. Senior Chris Kalousdian (Kings Park, N.Y. / Kings Park) was plunked leading off the frame before Chris Reynolds (Wall, N.J. / St. Rose) doubled him over to third. One batter later, senior Joe McClennan (Highland Mills, N.Y. / Cornwall) put the Jaspers on the board with a RBI single that scored Kalousdian while pushing Reynolds to third. Pfenninger then walked to again load the bases while forcing the Panthers to the bullpen.
While Manhattan were able to avoid a big inning after the loading the bases earlier in the game, the FIU relief corps were not as lucky. Playing in his hometown, senior Mikey Miranda (Miami, Fla. / Florida Christian) greeted LHP Dominic LoBrutto with a two-strike, pinch-hit single to score Reynolds while trimming the deficit to 3-2. Following a strikeout, Christian Santisteban (Miami, Fla. / Gulliver Prep) tied the game up with a RBI single, plating McClennan. On the play, Pfenninger came around to score on a fielding error in giving the Jaspers a 4-3 advantage.
Manhattan would conclude the scoring when pinch-runner Paul Genners (Fr., Jacksonville, Fla. / Stanton College Prep) scampered home on a wild pitch to give the visitors what would prove to be an insurmountable 5-3. lead.
Scarinci was dominating in closing out the win, yielding just one hit over the final three frames, capped by a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Reynolds and Santisteban each singled and drew two walks to pace a six-hit Jasper attack.
Scarinci (1-1) earned the win, striking out three and walking four over 5.0 innings of relief. Gianni Zayas (0-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, in 1.0 inning of work.
Game One Recap:
FIU scored in each of the first four frames en route to jumping out to a 9-0 lead before adding eight runs in the eighth en route to posting a 17-0 victory in game one.
RHP Andres Nunez dominated the Jaspers, striking out nine over 8.0 innings of three-hit ball in moving to 2-0 on the season.
Four different Manhattan players singled to lead the offense.
Sophomore RHP Joey Rocchietti (0-1) was saddled with the loss, striking out three while yielding eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits over 3.0 innings.
The Jaspers will look to salvage a series split tomorrow with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
