West Palm Beach, Fla. (March 14, 2006)- The Jasper Nine produced their third double-digit scoring effort in the last five games, coasting past LIU, 14-2, tonight at the Papa John's Baseball Classic. With the win, Manhattan improves to 5-3 on the young season.
After a scoreless top of the first for LIU, Manhattan quickly put up two runs in the bottom of the frame, as Ruben Perez came through with a two out single, scoring Matt Rizzotti and John Fitzpatrick. The Jaspers would add a third run in the bottom of the second on a RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Eric Nieto to take a 3-0 lead.
The Blackbirds would crack the scoring column in the top of the third on an RBI single to pull within two at 3-1.
Manhattan responded with seven runs over the next two innings to take an insurmountable 10-1 lead. Mike Garcia and Nick Derba each tallied two-RBI singles to pace the offensive explosion.
The Jaspers put the game away in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs, with another two-RBI single by Garcia being the big blow.
LIU would score a run in the top of the ninth to provide the final margin.
Derba (3-3, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Garcia (2-5, 4 RBI), Nunzio Franzese (3-4, 3 runs), and Rene Ruiz (3-5, 2 runs) each tallied multi-hit games.
Rene Guerra (1-0) worked the first six innings for his first collegiate win in his first collegiate start. He allowed just one run on six hits, adding six strikeouts.