Riverdale, NY (March 28, 2004)- Behind seven strong innings from starter
Chris Cody, Manhattan posted a 12-4 MAAC win over Niagara today at Van Cortlandt Park.
Josh Greco and Sylvester Gutierrez each went 2-3 with three RBI as the Jaspers improve to 5-13 overall and 1-2 in MAAC play.
For the third straight game, Niagara (5-13, 2-1 MAAC) took the early lead, plating a run in the top of the first, as Reed Eastley tripled down the right field line and came home on a wild pitch. Unlike the previous two games of the series, Manhattan responded with two multi run innings, scoring three in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the third for a 5-1 lead.
In the second, Gutierrez singled home the first Jasper run, scoring
Sam Deluca, before
Frank Cappello singled home
Gary Diaz and Gutierrez. In the third, after an RBI groundout by
Josh Greco, Deluca scored on a wild pitch.
The Purple Eagles would cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Tim Fitzgerald, scoring Greg Lehman.
With the score 5-2 entering the bottom of the sixth, Manhattan ran off seven straight runs, scoring two in both the sixth and seventh, before plating three more in the eighth. In the sixth, Gutierrez doubled home
Jonathan Holzer and Greco. In the seventh, Greco chased home
Matt Cucurullo with an RBI single before Deluca scored on an RBI groundout by Holzer. In the eighth, Cappello scored on a wild pitch, Greco singled home
Nick Derba, and Deluca scored when the Purple Eagles' shortstop misplayed a ball off the bat of
Shane Bolin.
In the top of the ninth, Niagara scored twice on a two RBI double by Reed Eastley.
Cody (1-0) pitched seven innings for his first win of the season, allowing one earned run and six hits, while striking out six. Matt Fuller (0-3) took the loss for Niagara, allowing five runs in 2.1 innings.
Deluca was 2-3 from the plate with four runs scored, as five Jaspers had multi-hit games.
Manhattan gets back in action on Tuesday, March 30, when the Jaspers travel to local rival Fordham. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
