Matazinsky No-Hits Niagara in MAAC Sweep

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Riverdale, NY - Manhattan senior Briana Matazinsky (Valley Falls, NY / Tamarac) threw her first career no-hitter, and just the second in program history, in a 5-0 win over Niagara on Saturday, April 21 in Gaelic Park. The win was the Jaspers' first in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and also Matazinsky's 13th career shutout, tying her with former player Jillian Medea (2003-06) for first all-time.

As if game one wasn't exciting enough, Manhattan took Niagara to nine innings in the second leg of the doubleheader, winning 3-2 when junior Lauren Pitney (Ansonia, CT / St. Joseph's) knocked an RBI single up the middle to score Victoria Alonso (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) from third. With the sweep, Manhattan improves to 17-21 overall and 2-8 in the MAAC. Niagara falls to 10-27 and 2-6 in the league. 
 
Matazinsky (7-8) was perfect for four complete innings in the opening game, until she walked the second batter in the top of the fifth, her only walk of the game. Matazinsky struck out five of the 22 batters she faced, and, not only did she get it done from the mound, she also hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth and went 2-3 on the day. 

Niagara struck first in game two when Jerri Ann Orfano doubled to right center for an RBI in the first inning. Alonso answered with a double of her own in the second, driving in two runs. Niagara's Jennifer Timm then tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth with a sacrifice bunt. 

The Jaspers looked to be in prime position to take the game with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh. However, Matazinsky struck out looking and Daniela Chiorazzi (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) flied out to center field, sending the game into extra innings. 

Relief pitcher Kayla McDermott (Garnerville, NY / North Rockland) held the Purple Eagles to no hits in the eighth and ninth, keeping the score at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Alonso reached on a single up the middle. She was followed by Christine Gebhardt (Middletown, NJ / Middletown North) who doubled to right center, advancing Alonso to third. With two on base and both in scoring position, Pitney clocked a shot up with middle to score Alonso, winning the game on a walk-off hit. McDermott finished with the win, and is now 5-3 on the season.

Up Next:
Manhattan returns to Gaelic on Sunday to host Canisius in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.