Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Manhattan College softball team moved closer towards securing a berth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships on Saturday afternoon. The Jaspers (15-19, 7-3 MAAC) split a doubleheader with Canisius (19-15, 4-4 MAAC) at the Demske Sports Complex, taking the first game by a 5-4 score before dropping a 6-1 decision in the nightcap, to move into a tie for first place in the MAAC standings.
Prior to winning the second game of the twinbill at Canisius two years ago, Manhattan had lost 21 consecutive contests against the Griffs in Buffalo. The victory in game one on Saturday was the Jaspers' second straight, and just the third in program history.
Cold and windy conditions proved to be no problem for the Jaspers, who jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Manhattan put up a three-spot in the top of the second, starting with a solo home run by Sydney Weedon (Santa Ana, Calif.). After Mickayla Romero (Las Vegas, Nev.) walked and Emily Cutler (Bloomingdale, N.J.) reached on an infield single, Kate Bowen (Newtown, Conn.) ripped a single to right that put the Jaspers in front 2-0. Elena Bowman (San Mateo, Calif.) followed with an RBI single, increasing Manhattan's cushion to 3-0.
The Jaspers added two more runs in the top of the fifth. Amanda Paxson (Cedar Grove, N.J.) started the rally with a single, then Andi Stallard (Katy, Texas) crushed her first career home run, a two-run shot to right that gave the Jaspers a 5-0 lead.
However, Canisius began to chip away at the advantage with a pair in the bottom half of the inning. Valorie Nappo got the Griffs on the board with an RBI single to center before Robin Kennery drove in a run with a base hit. Kennery moved to second on the throw home, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. After Stephanie Pfentner grounded out for the first out, Katie Medina lifted a fly ball to right. Nappo tried to score on the play, but a perfect relay throw by Jen Keller (Woodridge, N.J.) nailed her at the plate, ending the inning.
The Griffs rallied again in the sixth. After Bethany DeMarco led off the inning with a single, Marissa Miller crushed a pinch-hit two-run homer to left field. Michelle DelPrince then drew a walk, prompting Manhattan Head Coach Tom Pardalis to call on Erin Hamm (Collegeville, Pa.) out of the bullpen. Hamm walked Meghan Cuda before getting Nappo to hit into a fielder's choice and Kennery to line out, preserving the Jaspers' one-run advantage. She then worked around a two-out error in the seventh to earn her first collegiate save.
Manhattan tallied eight hits in the game, with Bowen and Paxson both going 2-for-4 at the plate. Bowen added an RBI, while Paxson scored a run. Stallard recorded two RBIs on her home run. Bowen (7-5) also got the start in the circle and earned the win. She allowed four runs on nine hits, struck out one and walked two in 5.1 innings. Hamm went 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out one and walking one without giving up a hit.
Nappo and Medina each had two of the Griffs' nine hits. Nappo also registered an RBI. Starting pitcher Amanda Baun (3-7) took the loss. She was charged with three runs and five hits while walking three and striking out one in two innings of work. Jenn Solis surrendered two runs on two hits, struck out three and walked two in three innings. Corinne Schaus tossed two shutout innings, yielding one hit and recording a strikeout.
After Manhattan threatened in the top of the third in game two, Canisius responded with a five-spot in the bottom half of the inning. Kennery belted a three-run homer, while Miller added an RBI double and Canisius picked up another run when Jen Consaul reached on a fielder's choice.
A Canisius error led directly to a Manhattan run in the top of the sixth. Bowman ripped a one-out single and advanced to second when the ball was misplayed in left field. She was then driven in on Paxson's single to center. However, the Griffs got that run back immediately when Cuda doubled leading off the bottom half of the inning and Kennery knocked her in with a single through the right side.
Five different Jaspers recorded singles in game two. Paxson had Manhattan's only RBI, while Bowman scored a run. Amy Bright (Manlius, N.Y.) (5-8) took the loss after allowing five runs on 10 hits and striking out one in five innings. Hamm pitched the sixth, giving up one run on two hits and recording a strikeout.
Cuda and Kennery both went 3-for-4 the Griffs, who had 12 hits as a team. Cuda scored two runs, while Kennery had four RBIs in the game. Medina and Bethany DeMarco added two hits apiece. Consaul (14-7) went the distance in the circle, yielding an unearned run on five hits, striking out eight and walking only one.
The Jaspers conclude their Western New York swing with a 12 p.m. twinbill at Niagara (5-25, 2-6 MAAC) on Sunday. The Purple Eagles were scheduled to face Saint Peter's on Saturday, but that doubleheader has been moved to Monday.
