Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Sophomore starting pitcher John Soldinger gave Manhattan eight scoreless innings, but the bullpen could not hold a five run lead in the ninth as the Jaspers fell 6-5 at LaSalle (8-8) on Friday. Explorers' sophomore shortstop Joe Bennie began the game winning rally with a three RBI triple, and then junior Jon Gyles drove in the two decisive runs for the walk off victory.
Soldinger retired the first five batters he faced and struck out three in the ballgame. The Bay Shore, N.Y. native received immediate run support in the first inning when sophomore designated hitter Ramon Ortega drove in senior outfielder Mark Onorati with a two out single. Then in the fourth inning, freshman catcher Mikey Miranda extended Manhattan's lead to 2-0 with a single to center field.
Manhattan (4-10) broke open the contest in the sixth inning scoring three more runs off LaSalle starting pitcher Kevin Fuqua. Onorati got the rally started with a RBI single to left field. Senior outfielder Mike McCann followed with a two RBI single to lift Manhattan to a 5-0 advantage.
Fuqua was replaced in the seventh inning after giving up eight hits and two earned runs.
The Jaspers turned to their bullpen in the bottom of the ninth inning with a five run cushion and the hopes of recording three outs. Freshman right-hander Kevin Bonanni ran into trouble after yielding two walks and a single, which loaded the bases for Bennie's three run triple. Manhattan then went to junior Taylor Sewitt who gave up a RBI single to Explorers' centerfielder Tony Negrin making the score 5-4 with no outs.
Sewitt managed to record one out, but loaded the bases up after a double from Explorers' second baseman Jeff Flax and an intentional walk to junior left fielder Brendan Norton. Manhattan made one last pitching change brining in freshman Jacob Marchus in the difficult situation. Gyles capitalized immediately on the bases loaded opportunity as he dropped the game winning two run single in center field.
Onorati, Ortega and senior third baseman Chad Salem each had two hits in the ball game. LaSalle reliever Zach Huff picked up the win after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
Manhattan is back in action on Saturday when the Jaspers travel to Saint Joseph's. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.