Lynchburg, Va. (March 2, 2007)- Liberty used a four run fifth inning to break open a tie game on the way to a 6-2 win over Manhattan this afternoon at Worthington Stadium on the Flames' campus. Eric Nieto went 2-4 with a run scored and a stolen base to pace the Jaspers' offense.
After three scoreless innings, Manhattan manufactured the game's first run in the top of the fourth. Nieto singled to right to begin the frame, and promptly stole second. Rene Ruiz followed with a walk to put runners and first and second, and both runners advanced on a groundout by Matt Rizzotti. An error by the Flames' second baseman on a ball off the bat of Mike Garcia allowed Nieto to score the first run of the game.
Liberty was able to knot the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single by David Giammaresi.
The Flames scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth, with the bog blow coming on a two RBI single off the bat of PK Keller.
Manhattan would score again in the top of the seventh, as a Ruben Perez groundout plated Mike Garcia, who led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, and advanced on a walk and a wild pitch.
Liberty added the game's final run on a RBI sacrifice fly by Aaron Grijalva in the bottom of the eighth.
Josh Santerre worked the first 4.2 innings for Manhattan, allowing five runs while striking out four. Tom Costigan worked the final 3.1 innings, allowing just one run, while tallying two strikeouts against no walks.
Michael Solbach went seven innings for Liberty allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out seven.
Manhattan and Liberty will play the second game of a three game series tomorrow, Saturday, March 3, with first pitch slated for 1:00 p.m.
