RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team (9-6) dropped an 8-6 decision in the rubber match of a three game series at Liberty (13-5) on Sunday in Lynchburg, Va. Jaspers' senior designated hitter Anthony Armenio went 2-for-4 with a two run homer and junior first baseman Austin Sheffield notched a three run blast in the loss.
Liberty jumped out to a two run advantage in the bottom of the first inning beginning with a RBI single from second baseman P.J. Jimenez, and then a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Nathan Thompson. Jimenez hit 2-for-4 with two RBI.
The Jaspers erased its deficit and took the lead in the fourth inning with three runs courtesy of Sheffield's home run. Manhattan added another run in the top of the fifth to go up 4-2 after junior outfielder Mike McCann's solo home run. It was his second straight contest with a homer.
The Flames regained the lead in the fifth inning working four runs from four hits off Jaspers' starting pitcher Mike Gazzola.The surge got started with a RBI double to right center from Curran Redal. Gazzola tossed five innings and notched two strikeouts.
Liberty posted another run with a solo shot from Jimenez in the sixth and sophomore Trey Wimmer drove in their eighth run in the seventh, which proved to be the difference. Armenio launched his two run homer in the eighth, but the Jaspers ran out of offense to complete the comeback bid.
Flames' starter Keegan Linza got the win after pitching 8 1/3 innings with six strikeouts improving to a perfect 4-0 on the season. J.J. McLeod notched his second save of the season by getting the final two outs of the ballgame.
Manhattan returns to action on Tuesday when the Jaspers travel to Brooklyn to square off with Long Island. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.