RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College baseball team couldn't overcome an early setback, and eventually fell 7-5 at Long Island (7-12) this afternoon in Brooklyn. The Blackbirds four run second inning proved to be the decisive factor as Manhattan drops to 6-11-1 on the season. Freshman left fielder Mark Onorati was a bright spot for the Jaspers going 3-for-5 from the plate, including his first collegiate home run, while also knocking in two RBIs.
Manhattan starter Rob Ardino lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits. Ardino, a left-hander from White Plains, also walked two batters in his first collegiate start.
The Jaspers jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the top of the first. Senior outfielder Eric Nieto worked for a lead off walk, which eventually led to the first run of the contest when Onorati singled him in. Onorati scored soon after on a Dom Lombardi fielder's choice.
Lombardi went 1-for-4 on the afternoon to extend his consecutive game hit streak to six.
Austin Sheffield then posted a RBI single to advance Kevin Nieto around the bases. Kevin Nieto also reached base on a walk.
Long Island matched the Jaspers three spot in the bottom half of the inning on three hits. Junior Anthony Amatucci initiated the mini surge with a RBI double to score James Jones. Greg DeSantis and Eric Hinkle also knocked in two more runs to even the game.
The Blackbirds followed their prosperous first inning with four more runs in the bottom of the second forcing Manhattan to go to its bullpen. Long Island got its four runs on three hits and an error.
Jaspers' freshman right-hander Kyle Waddell was a solid choice in relief as he held Long Island scoreless over the final six innings. He allowed just four hits and struck out four in his sixth appearance out of the pen this season.
Despite the lights out effort by Waddell, Manhattan struggled to put runs on the scoreboard in order to overcome its deficit.
In the sixth, Luis Llerena managed an RBI by fielder's choice coming off the bench in a pinch hit situation. Ruben Perez scored on the play, after doubling to lead off the inning. He was 2-for-4 in the contest.
Onorati blasted a two-out home run in the top of the ninth to pull Manhattan within 7-5. However, the Blackbirds eventually got the final out when Kevin Nieto went down looking in the next at bat to wrap up the non-conference matchup.
Manhattan returns to action tomorrow afternoon to square off with Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck, N.J. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m.
