Manhattan University Athletics

Riverdale, N.Y. (May 3, 2007)- Manhattan College is ranked fourth in the latest Ping! Baseball Northeast Regional poll, released recently by PingBaseball.com.

To view the complete poll, CLICK HERE

The Jaspers (28-12, 17-0 MAAC) are ranked behind St. John's University (30-12, 14-4 Big East), Rutgers University (26-16, 13-5 Big East), and Lafayette College (28-15, 17-3 Patriot League) in the 68 team standings, which encompasses all Division I schools in the following states (ME, NH, VT, RI, MA, NY, PA, MD, NJ, CT, DE, and DC).  St. John's and Rutgers are currently first and tied for second, respectively, in the conference standings, while Lafayette is the leader in its league standings.

The middle of the Manhattan lineup has been productive all season, as junior Matt Rizzotti (.333, 9 HR, 35 RBI), and seniors Nick Derba (.287, 10 HR, 26 RBI), and Mike Garcia (.297, 8 HR, 37 RBI) pace the Jasper offense from the three-four-and five spots in the batting order, respectively.

On the mound, senior Jesse Darcy (7-2, 2.09 ERA) and Josh Santerre (6-2, 3.55 ERA) are the starters at the top of the rotation for Head Coach Kevin Leighton.  The pitching staff's four freshmen (Tom Costigan, Brian Pendergast, Zac Goyer, and Tom Moran) have provided quality depth, combining for a 14-2 record with nine saves, and a 3.38 ERA.

The Jaspers' 17-0 start to conference play matches the best start to MAAC play in the history of the conference, equaling Le Moyne College's start to MAAC play in the 2003 season, in which the Dolphins posted a 33-17, 22-3 MAAC final record. 

The Jaspers return to conference play this weekend, traveling to Fairfield, Conn. to battle MAAC foe Fairfield University in a three-game MAAC series beginning Saturday, May 5 at 12 noon.