BASEBALL DROPS 3-0 DECISION AT BIG EAST MEMBER SOUTH FLORIDA IN 2007 SEASON OPENER
Tampa, Fla. (February 23, 2007)- Last season, Manhattan first game of the season was its first chance to play outdoors, as winter weather in the northeast makes Jasper fans think more about basketball than baseball. The Jaspers began their memorable season of 2006 with a road win at Tulane University, winning a close game behind a dominant pitching performance. The 2007 season opener had all the looks of a replay, as Manhattan opened the season at Big East member University of South Florida. Starting pitcher Josh Santerre held the Bulls' bats in check for four innings, but South Florida emerged with a 3-0 win at Red McEwan Field. The Jaspers record stands at 0-1, while the Bulls improve to 7-1 on the young season.
Santerre was on his game from the outset, striking out the first batter he faced on three pitches. He allowed just one hit and two base runners through the first four innings before the Bulls finally solved him in the fifth. After hitting a batter with two outs and none on, Josh LeRoy hit a double to right field, plating Braulio Pardo with the game's first run.
The senior southpaw created more trouble in the sixth, as a hit batsman and a double put runners on second and third with no out. After two outs and walk to load the bases, Brandin Daniel singled to right, scoring two to provide the final margin.
Manhattan put runners on base in six of the nine innings, but could not advance a runner into scoring position with less than two outs until the ninth inning, when Eric Nieto doubled to lead off the final frame.
The Jaspers' four hits came from Nieto, Matt Rizzotti, Marc Giordano, and Ryan Masters.
Santerre worked the first six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out five. Freshman Tom Costigan pitched two innings of no-hit baseball in making his collegiate debut, tallying one strikeout.
Otero went the distance for South Florida to improve to 3-0 on the young season. He scattered four hits while recording eight strikeouts. He also issued to walks.
Despite not having played outside since the Fall season, the Jaspers committed just one error.
The Jaspers and Bulls play the second game of their three-game set on Saturday, February 24, with the first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m.
