Manhattan Heads To Western New York To Face Niagara

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Niagara University, NY - Manhattan (15-27; 6-9 MAAC) returns to action at Niagara (15-26-1; 10-8 MAAC) this weekend in a series that will have playoff implications for both teams.

The Schedule
Saturday, May 7 - 12:00 pm doubleheader (9/7)
Sunday, May 8 - 12:00 pm single game (9)

Last Weekend
The Jaspers took two-of-three from league leader Fairfield en route to nothing their first MAAC series victory of the season. 

Stat Of The Week
Last year, Manhattan's first MAAC series victory was against Fairfield with the second coming vs. Niagara.

200-Hit Club
Senior Christian Santisteban became the 15th member of the Jasper 200-hit club with his first-inning single in the first game of last Saturday's doubleheader against the Stags. Santisteban also clouted his 57th career double in the series and is tied for second in the all-time annals.

Doubles Action
Freshman Fabian Pena is first in the MAAC with 18 doubles with Santisteban and junior Jose Carrera tied for second with 15 apiece.

Pena Named To Johnny Bench Watch List
Pena was named to the official watch list for the 2016 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com as announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Pena is hitting .352 with his aforementioned MAAC-leading 18 doubles, six home runs and a MAAC-best 40 RBI en route to pacing the circuit with a .586 slugging percentage. Additionally, behind the plate he has thrown out 54.6 percent (25-of-46) of runners attempting to steal.

Game-Winning Reynolds
Pena's fellow catcher, senior Chris Reynolds also earned national attention this week thanks to his prowess in the classroom. The Garden State native was voted to the Capital One Academic All-District ® College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) All-District First Team and is now eligible for Academic All-America consideration. On the diamond, Reynolds has hit safely in six-straight games, batting .400 (8-of-20) during that time and most recently had a season-high three hits and three RBI against UAlbany.

Patnick Packing The Punch
Junior Jason Patnick crushed three doubles against UAlbany after entering the game with three on the year. Patnick has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, batting a scorching .424 (25-of-59) during that time with six doubles, one triple and 17 RBI.

Coming Up Clutch
* Classmate Ryan Gronlier smoked his first career walk-off hit with a RBI single in Manhattan's 14-inning win over Fairfield last Friday.
* Junior Shawn Kanwisher struck out a career-high seven over a career-best 6.1 innings of relief in the aforementioned victory in earning a no-decision.
* Classmate Joe Jacques did not allow an earned run over 9.1 innings spanning three appearances last week.
* Freshman Anthony Rocchietti crushed his first career home run to put the Jaspers ahead for good in their series-clinching 5-0 win in last weekend's series finale against Fairfield.
* Junior Joey Rocchietti fired his first career complete game shutout against the Stags thanks to his brother's eighth-inning long ball.

Last Year Against Niagara
Manhattan took two-of-three thanks to a solid pitching performance, highlighted by a Jacques two-hit, eight-strikeout, complete game shuout that yielded the crafty lefty MAAC Pitcher of the Week honors. Santisteban provided the offensive punch, batting .500 (4-for-8) with three doubles and four walks. For his career, he is batting .500 (9-for-18) with five doubles against the Purple Eagles. 

Duffy Against The Purple Eagles
Head Coach Jim Duffy owns a 5-4 career record against this weekend's opposition but will be looking for his first career win in Niagara Falls this weekend.

Up Next
Manhattan is at Saint Peter's on Saturday, May 14.