Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan baseball team had its 10 game win streak snapped on Saturday as the Jaspers dropped both games of a doubleheader at Rider (11-22, 6-5 MAAC) falling 11-9 & 3-1 in Lawrenceville, N.J. Jaspers' junior second baseman Nick Camastro hit .556 (5-for-9) as Manhattan suffered its first conference loss since March 25.
In game one, Manhattan (14-19, 7-4 MAAC) rallied back from 10 runs down and scored the last eight runs of the contest, but its rally fell short in the 11-9 setback. Junior catcher Ramon Ortega went 3-for-4 from the plate, scored two runs and had three RBI, while Camastro also had three hits, including his team leading 10th double of the season.
Rider junior designated hitter Ian Lindsay drove in three runs and had three hits in the ballgame. Broncs' first baseman Ryan Murphy smashed his first home run of the season, a two run shot in the fourth inning, to top a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
Broncs' second baseman Mike Parsons put Rider on the scoreboard first in the second inning with an RBI single to center field. The Jaspers answered back with Camastro's RBI double in the third inning to tie the contest at 1-1.
Rider unleashed 10 straight runs on Manhattan to open up an 11-1 advantage, beginning in the third inning when third baseman Adam Wayman capped a three run frame with a sacrifice fly ball that allowed Lindsay to cross home plate. The Broncs scored four runs on six hits and one error in the fourth inning, which included Murphy's two run blast to right field.
Then in the fifth inning, Manhattan's fourth error of the game helped Rider tack on three more runs. Lindsay finished off the spurt with a double down the left field line to give the Broncs a 10 run advantage.
The resilient Jaspers would not go away quietly as in the sixth inning Manhattan clawed back into the contest with five runs on five hits and one error. Ortega notched his team leading fourth home run of the year, a two run shot that helped pull Manhattan within 11-6 of Rider.
Manhattan added two more runs in the seventh inning on Ortega's RBI single to left field and when Julian De La Rosa was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Although, the Jaspers left three runners on base in the frame as the Broncs managed to maintain an 11-8 edge.
Jaspers' freshman third baseman Joe McClennan drove in a run in the top of the ninth inning, but that was as close as Manhattan would get. McClennan finished with two RBI in the contest and freshman starting pitcher Michael Scarinci suffered the first conference loss of his career.
Broncs' sophomore starting pitcher Mike Murphy earned the victory going six innings and yielding five earned runs. Murphy had eight strikeouts in the game.
In game two, Rider junior Tyler Smith outlasted Jaspers' starter John Soldinger in a pitchers duel that ended with Lindsay's two run walk-off home run in the 3-1 decision. Smith had eight strikeouts in the ballgame.
Junior center fielder Anthony Vega broke the scoreless tie in the third inning when he matched Ortega with his team leading fourth homer of the year to put Manhattan ahead 1-0 with the solo blast. Vega hit 2-for-4 batting out of the lead off spot.
Rider locked the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning when Wayman pushed the tying run across the plate with a sacrifice fly ball. Then in the bottom of the seventh inning, Lindsay hit his first home run of the season with one out to secure the Broncs a doubleheader sweep.
The Jaspers left eight runners on base and received a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate from sophomore right fielder Chris Kalousdian. Camastro finished with two hits in the contest.
Manhattan and Rider will play the final game of the MAAC series on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. at Sonny Pittaro Field in Lawrenceville, N.J.
