RIVERDALE, NY - The Manhattan softball team split their home doubleheader today against conference foe Rider. They won the first game 3-2, before being defeated in game two, 5-3.
Game 1 – Manhattan 3, Rider 2
Game one was scoreless until the top of the third inning, when Rider would send a long home run into center field to give themselves a 1-0 lead. Manhattan would get a chance to answer in the bottom of the fourth, when Gabriella Mazzotta came up with two on and two out. She would answer the call, driving in a run with a single to tie the game at one. Rider would pick up the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth with an RBI double and shut the Jaspers down in the bottom half of the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Rider would be held scoreless giving the Jaspers three outs to extend the game. The first two batters would be retired, bringing Manhattan to their final out. Maddy Weir would step in the box and she would connect, hitting a clutch solo home run to left center field, sending the game into extras.
In the eighth inning, Rider would go down in order, sending Manhattan up with a chance to win the game. Bella Cahueque would start things off with a single, followed by a sacrifice by Sophia Kiseloski to move the winning run to second base. Kaitlyn Flood came up to the plate and won the game for the Jaspers, hitting a walkoff single into center field to give Manhattan the 3-2 victory in game one.
Mollie Charest started the game, pitching five innings, allowing two earned runs. Ava Metzger came in relief and threw three shutout innings, taking the win for Manhattan.
Game 2 - Rider 5, Manhattan 3
Rider would kick off game two with three home runs in the first five innings, earning themselves a 4-0 lead late into the game. Manhattan got on the board in the sixth, on a sacrifice fly by Lindsey Hoag to make the score 4-1. Rider would answer with an RBI single in the seventh, giving the Jaspers three outs to make up a 5-1 deficit. The Jaspers would get a runner on early, before an error would send her home, making the score 5-2. Mazzotta came up next, sending a double to left field to make the score 5-3. Lauren Rende would be hit by a pitch, sending the potential winning run to the plate for the Jaspers in Weir. Unfortunately, she would end up flying out to right, ending the game with a 5-3 Rider victory.
Fallyn Stoeckel would pick up the win for the Broncs, pitching a complete game. Manhattan gave Kiseloski the start, who threw 4 1/3 innings, before Metzer would relieve again for the final 2 ?.
UP NEXT: The two teams will play the final game of the series tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Gaelic Park.
Follow us on Social Media: For the latest on the Manhattan College softball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter and Instagram @JaspersSoftball.
