Fairfield, CT (May 21, 2005)-
Josh Santerre went seven innings, allowing just two runs, and
John Fitzpatrick blasted two homers as Manhattan defeated Fairfield, 7-2, this afternoon at Alumni Diamond. With the win, the Jaspers clinch the #3 seed at the upcoming MAAC Playoffs. Manhattan concludes the regular season with a 27-19 overall record, 15-8 in MAAC play, the second most wins under head coach Steve Trimper, and the second most wins since 1903.
After three scoreless frames, the Stags plated two in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-0 lead, but the Jaspers answered right back in their next at bat with two runs of their own.
After walks to
Phil Kuhner and
John Maser to lead off the inning,
Matt Nevins laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third.
Eric Nieto followed with a sacrifice fly, plating Kuhner before
Gary Diaz singled home Maser to knot the score at 2-2.
Manhattan added three more in the seventh, as, after one out walks to
Matt Rizzotti and
Nick Derba,
John Fitzpatrick belted a three-run homer to left center, giving the Jaspers a 5-2 lead.
Manhattan would add single runs in the eighth, on a Nieto RBI single, and the ninth, a Fitzpatrick's career-high ninth homer of the season, to provide the final margin.
Santerre picks up his sixth win of the season, scattering six hits while allowing two runs.
Kyle Wirtz went the final two innings, allowing no runs on two hits.
Manhattan will begin the MAAC Playoffs on Thursday, at a time to be determined.
This is the third straight season the Jaspers have qualified for the postseason.
