Fort Worth, TX (March 6, 2005)-
John Fitzpatrick connected on a three run homer in the top of the ninth to give Manhattan an 8-7 lead, but the Jaspers were unable to complete the upset bid, falling to the Horned Frogs, 9-8 in the final game of the three game series.
Down to their final out and trailing 7-5,
Gary Diaz reached on an error by the TCU right fielder on a 2-2 count, keeping the upset hopes alive.
Matt Rizzotti followed with a single to left on a full count before Fitzpatrick delivered the go ahead blow.
In the bottom of the inning, the TCU leadoff batters walked and stole second, advancing to third on a throwing error. He then scored the tying run on a double. After an intentional walk was issued to set up a force play, the first out of the inning was recorded on a fielder's choice. After another intentional walk loaded the bases, Manhattan recorded the second out of the inning on a fielder's choice. Unfortunately, a Jasper error on the next batted ball allowed the winning run to score.
TCU scored twice in the bottom of the second to go ahead 2-0 before Manhattan plated three in the top of the third on an RBI infield single by Rizzotti and bases loaded walks to Fitzpatrick and
Phil Kuhner.
TCU knotted the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout before the Jaspers regained the lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI groundout by
Joe Franzese.
TCU tallied three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-4 lead. The teams traded runs in the seventh, with the Manhattan run coming on an RBI double by Fitzpatrick, setting up the ninth inning dramatics.
Josh Santerre went the first five innings, receiving a no decision, while
Steve Bronder went the final 3.2 and took the loss.
