Riverdale, NY (April 3, 2004)- Manhattan starting pitcher Mike Parisi pitched 7.1 innings, allowing no earned runs for his first win of the season, and John Maser singled home Gary Diaz in the bottom of the sixth as the Jaspers posted a 5-4 MAAC win over the Siena Saints today at Van Cortlandt Park. Manhattan improves to 6-13-1, 2-2 in MAAC play.
The Jaspers got on the board early against Siena starter Ryan Bitter (2-3), plating two runs in the bottom of the first. Chris Gaskin singled home Nick Derba and John Fitzpatrick singled home Sam Deluca to give Manhattan the early 2-0 lead. The Jaspers would extend the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the second on a RBI single by Frank Cappello, driving home Maser, who had doubled to lead off the inning.
Parisi cruised through the first three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. In the top of the fourth the Saints (9-12, 2-2 MAAC) took advantage of two Manhattan errors to score four runs on just one hit to take a 4-3 lead. Siena loaded the bases with none out on two walks and an error, before Scott King grounded into a potential double play, but a throwing error on the Jaspers allowed two runs to score. The Saints tied the score at 3-3 on an RBI groundout before taking the 4-3 lead on an RBI single by Blake Hanan, driving home King.
Manhattan knotted the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, as a Siena error allowed Derba to score from third. The Jaspers then regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth, as Diaz led off with a single up the middle, stole second, and was driven home by Maser's single down the right field line.
Steve Bronder relieved Parisi (1-3) with one out and two on in the eighth, and retired the next two batters to end the Siena threat.
With one out and one on in the ninth, Josh Santerre relieved Bronder and, after a sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position, induced the next batter to hit a comebacker to end the game and to pick up his first save of the year.
Ryan Bitter went seven innings for Siena, allowing two earned runs while striking out seven. Maser was the only Jaspers with a multi-hit game, going 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Manhattan and Siena will conclude the three game series on Sunday, April 4, with a double header scheduled to begin at 12 noon with a seven inning game followed by a nine inning game. As a result of impending inclement weather, if the games times have to be moved or if there is a cancellation, please call 718-862-7486 or 718-862-8326 for updates.