Box Score TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Manhattan Jasper Baseball dropped Game 2 of its season-opening weekend, 15-0, to No. 18 Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Jaspers (0-2) will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. to conclude the first-ever series against the Crimson Tide.
This loss marks the second-highest number of unanswered runs allowed under head coach
Dave Miller, narrowly trailing the 18-0 opening loss at Stetson in 2023. The Green and White have not faced an early inning halt since their 2021 defeat to Fairfield, 19-9.
"Even though the scores are not falling in our favor these games will help us down the road," said Miller. "We are facing one of the best pitching staffs in college baseball in Alabama. These games will help our offense in the long run. The stat line won't show it but
Noah Mattera pitched a very well executed game. They were not hitting the ball hard but were finding holes. It's been a tough start for our offense this far but I'm confident this team will find its groove here soon.
Daniel Perez once again led the Jaspers from the plate, going 1-for-2 on the day.
Trevor Hansen, the sole other Jasper to reach base, secured a walk in the top of the third, but a ground-out double play from
Frankie Marinelli stifled Manhattan's chance to score.
Mattera was charged with the loss, pitching two innings and conceding nine runs on seven hits, with seven earned. The Jaspers' bullpen worked four additional arms to navigate through the remainder of the game.
TJ McCants opened scoring for Alabama after a wild pitch from third base. McCants went 3-for-4 on the day, with two runs and 2 RBI, including his double to start the 'Bama bats in the first. Four consecutive scoring innings succeeded, giving the Crimson Tide a 2-0 lead in the series after today's upset.
Game Three is set for a 2 p.m. first pitch and can be streamed on SEC Network+ or livestream at
rolltide.com
