Box Score
ALBANY, N.Y. - Brendan Slattery drove in two of his career-high six runs batted in with a two-run single in the ninth, breaking a 7-7 tie. The clutch hit ultimately gave Manhattan an uplifting 9-7 victory over the Great Danes on Wednesday afternoon.
A high-scoring first inning saw the Jaspers score three runs in their half. Slattery had the key hit during the frame, a two-run single, following a Chris Kalousdian RBI single.
Albany responded with four runs of its own in the bottom of the first, three of them coming on a bases-clearing double by Evan Harasta.
Trailing 4-3 in the third, Manhattan evened the score on an RBI groundout by Slattery that scored Jose Carrera, who drew a leadoff walk. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Shawn Kanwisher settled in after the first, even working around a second and third, nobody out situation in the third to keep the game tied.
The score remained 4-4 until Josh Nethaway hit a two-run home run in the fifth to put Albany in front, 6-4, until the eighth. In the top of the eighth, Kalousdian singled to start the frame. Two batters later, Christian Santisteban cracked a single to put runners at the corners for Slattery.
Slattery came through again with a run-scoring single to plate Kalousdian, getting the Jaspers within a run at 6-5. With runners at the corners again and one out, Andrew Jaurique was able to get Vin Teixeira to hit one back to the mound. Jaurique alertly tagged Santisteban trying to score, then retired the next batter to hold the one-run lead for Albany.
The Great Danes got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 7-5 lead into the ninth. In their final at-bat, the Jaspers' rally started on a Yoandry Galan leadoff walk. Chris Reynolds followed with a single to center field and the Jaspers loaded the bases when Albany's third baseman could not handle a sacrifice bunt by Evan Brown.
Kalousdian's infield single pushed the Jaspers a run closer, making it 7-6. Carrera grounded into a fielder's choice which plated the tying run and put runners at the corners with one out. Carrera promptly stole second base and Albany chose to issue an intentional walk to Santisteban. That loaded the bases for Slattery, who responded by drilling a single to center field to score a pair and give the Jaspers a 9-7 advantage.
Maxx Feldman had allowed one run over three innings of relief work and started the ninth inning by hitting the leadoff man. Joey Rocchietti came in from the Jaspers' bullpen and retired the next two batters before he allowed a two-out base on balls. With the tying run on base, Rocchietti induced a fly ball to Slattery in left field to end the game.
Kalousdian had his second four-hit game of the season, going 4-for-5 with two RBI. Slattery finished his day 3-for-5 with six RBI and Carrera scored four runs.
Manhattan returns to action this weekend with a three-game series at Rider. First pitch on Saturday, April 26 is at noon.
NOTES:
Maxx Feldman earned his first win of the season ... Joey Rocchietti notched his first collegiate save in his second relief appearance of the season ... Jose Carrera's stolen base in the ninth inning was his team-best 17th of the season in 17 tries ... Christian Santisteban's first-inning double was his team-best 12th of the season.