RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College baseball team dropped the first contest of a three game series to Virginia Commonwealth University (3-11) falling 5-3 in Richmond this afternoon. Rams senior Cody Eppley pitched a complete game allowing just five Jasper hits, while striking out seven. With the loss, Manhattan falls to 3-8-1 on the season.
The Jaspers gained an early advantage in the third inning when junior second baseman Ruben Perez worked his way around the bases and scored on an Eric Nieto RBI single. Nieto went 1-for-4 on the afternoon.
VCU posted the equalizing run in the bottom half of the third. Ryan Santos reached base on an error, then stole second to move into scoring position. R.J. Schenk, a junior designated hitter, blasted one up the middle to knock in Santos.
The Rams prospered from its offense again in the fourth. Junior Justin Wright reached base by lining a shot to right field to get the inning started. After stealing second, Wright scored soon thereafter on a fielder's choice courtesy of Matthew Leskiw.
Leskiw followed Wright's lead by stealing second. He later crossed the plate thanks in part to a Santos single to left field. Santos had two hits, a RBI and scored a run, while Leskiw scored twice.
Manhattan responded as its offense came alive in the top of the sixth to even the game at 3-3. Mark Onorati rejuvenated the Jaspers with a double down the left field line to start off the scoring surge. Sophomore outfielder Kevin Nieto followed with a triple to right center sending Onorati across the plate. Chad Salem blasted a sacrifice fly into center field to score Kevin Nieto.
Despite the Jaspers' comeback effort, VCU rallied for a run in both the seventh and eighth, and wrapped up the game with Eppley's efficient pitching.
In the seventh, Jared Bolden worked for a lead off walk, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Chris Jackson followed with a RBI single to centerfield which proved to be the game winning run.
Leskiw added an insurance run in the eighth off reliever Brian Pendergast to secure the victory.
Pendergast went two innings in relief for starting right-hander Tom Costigan. Pendergast struck out two, allowed just three hits and one run.
Costigan was credited with the loss and falls to 1-2 on the season.
Manhattan returns to action tomorrow afternoon for the second game of its three game set at VCU. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.
