Softball Builds Five-Game Win Streak

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Riverdale, NY - Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Manhattan senior Victoria Ross (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) smashed a double to left field that scored teammate Adriana Gambino (Stamford, CT / Westhill) and gave the Jaspers a walk-off 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart Wednesday, March 28 at Gaelic Park. It was Manhattan's second win of the day, as the Jaspers bested the Pioneers 6-2 in the first game of the doubleheader. 

The two wins give Manhattan a five-win streak, the Jaspers' second-longest winning streak so far this season. Manhattan improves to 14-9 overall, while Sacred Heart falls to 15-11. 
 
Manhattan senior Briana Matazinsky (Valley Falls, NY / Tamarac) pitched a complete game in the first match-up between the Jaspers and Pioneers, letting up just four hits in 23 at bats and walking one. On offense, junior Kat Prevo (San Diego, CA / Our Lady of Peace) opened the Jaspers' scoring with a solo homer in the bottom of the second. Manhattan took advantage of two errors by Sacred Heart in the inning to put together 5-0 lead.

Matazinsky held the Pioneers scoreless until the fifth, when Cierra Casale knocked a two-run homer to left center. The Jaspers would score one more run on their way to the 6-2 win.

In game two, Manhattan scored the first run in the third inning, when Matazinsky singled down the right field line and teammate Lauren Pitney (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) scored on the throw. But after Sacred Heart tied the game with a homer in the top of the sixth, the Jaspers and Pioneers found themselves in an extra-inning standoff. 

Pitcher Kayla McDermott (Garnerville, NY / North Rockland) came in to relieve Nicole Williams (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) in the sixth, after Williams struck out five in 5.2 innings pitched. McDermott went to work over the next four innings, also striking out five in 3.1 innings and holding the Pioneers at bay into the top of the ninth. 

Matazinsky singled up the middle to start the bottom of the ninth for Manhattan. After Gambino reached on a walk, senior Rachael Mumma (Mechanicsburg, PA / Cumberland Valley), bunted to advance the runners. Mumma reached on a fielder's choice, while Matazinsky was called out at third. Gambino advanced to second. 

Coming to the plate with just one out, Ross hit a rope to center field, putting Gambino and Mumma on the run. Gambino easily crossed the plate, giving Manhattan the 2-1 win. 

Matazinsky went 2-4 in the second game, recording two of the Jaspers' three total hits. She compiled a .714 on base percentage for day, going 3-5 from the plate with one RBI. 

Up Next:
Manhattan will next meet Fairleigh Dickinson in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. at Gaelic Park on Tuesday, April 3.