RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College baseball team surrendered a two run lead in the bottom of the fourth allowing Virginia Commonwealth University (4-12) to escape with a 5-3 victory this afternoon in Richmond, Va. VCU sophomore starter Phillip Deane (1-2) earned the win going seven innings, allowing three hits and posting two strikeouts. Manhattan (4-9-1) freshman lefthander Dan Forman (0-3) was credited with his third loss of the season. Forman struck out four, but allowed seven hits and five runs.
The Rams got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning when freshman Michael Cheatham crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by fellow freshman Joe Van Meter. Cheatham reached base on a walk earlier that inning.
Manhattan rallied for three runs in the top of the fourth to gain a 3-1 edge on the Rams. Mark Onorati was hit by a pitch to reach base in the lead off spot. Kevin Nieto then singled to right field which moved Onorati to third. Fellow freshman Chad Salem doubled to right field in the next at bat to score Onorati.
Kevin Nieto later scored when Dom Lombardi reached base on a fielder's choice. After stealing second, Lombardi eventually scored on an Austin Sheffield ground out to Deane.
VCU responded with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth inning to regain the lead for good. It began when Jared Bolden singled to centerfield and then advanced to second on a bobbled ball. Van Meter was hit by a pitch in the next at bat, while Justin Wright followed with a double into right field to send Bolden across the plate.
Carlos Rodriguez regained the lead for VCU sending a double into the right centerfield gap scoring a pair of runners. Rodriguez later scored on a Matt Leskiw single down the left field line to give the Rams a 5-3 advantage.
VCU closer Aaron Morgan wrapped up the game by getting the final five outs to secure the win. Morgan struck out three and allowed just one hit over this final stretch.
The Jaspers earned just four hits throughout the contest, all coming from four different players. Kevin Nieto, Salem, Lombardi and Giordano each reached base on hits.
The loss drops Manhattan to 4-9-1 on the season. The Jaspers return to action on Wednesday for its contest with Seton Hall. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. in South Orange, N.J.
