Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Junior third baseman Chad Salem drove in five RBI and launched his team-leading 11th home run of the season as Manhattan (18-13, 7-5 MAAC) rolled past Fairfield (14-17, 4-5 MAAC), 9-2, on Sunday at Alumni Diamond. Jaspers' senior starter Tom Costigan pitched 7 2/3 strong innings allowing just six hits in his fourth win on the hill.
Manhattan strung together three consecutive singles with two outs in the first inning to post its first run on the scoreboard. Senior designated hitter Anthony Armenio drove in the run for his 27th RBI of the season. Armenio hit 2-for-4 in the ballgame.
The Jaspers broke open the contest scoring four runs in the fifth inning. Junior outfielder Mark Onorati knocked the first run with a single through the left side. Salem followed with a three-run blast to put Manhattan on top 5-0. Salem hit 3-for-5 and scored three runs.
Manhattan tacked on four more runs in the sixth inning to take a commanding 9-0 advantage. Salem delivered a two-out two-run single, which was followed by junior outfielder Mike McCann's RBI single. McCann went 3-for-5 from the plate to cap a .583 (7-for-12) batting effort during the three game conference series. Manhattan scored its ninth run on a base loaded balk.
Fairfield eventually worked two runs off Costigan on four hits in the eighth inning, and the Jaspers turned to senior reliever Tom Moran to close out the contest. Moran recorded the final out of the eighth, and then recorded the last three outs in the ninth inning to secure the Jaspers' 18th win of the season. Costigan finished his day with three strikeouts.
Manhattan returns to home on Wednesday when the Jaspers host local rival Columbia at Van Cortlandt Park. The doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.
