DOVER, DE – The Manhattan Jaspers baseball team (2-7, 0-0 MAAC) opened its three-game set against the Hornets of Delaware State University (1-5, 0-0 NEC) with a win by a score of 7-3 inside Bob Reed Field on Friday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Opening the contest with a double was Aidan Taclas to get the Jaspers into the hit column immediately.
- Manhattan struck first in the run column with Andreaus Lewis hitting into a double play but brought home Taclas from the hot corner.
- The Green and White put the petal to the metal on the bump, with Andrew Castelluccio leaving a pair on base and one Hornet 90 feet away from tying the game at one with a looking strikeout.
- In the third inning, with the bases loaded, Trevor Hansen hit a sacrifice fly into right field with one out to bring home Guriyandel Salva for a crucial Jaspers insurance run.
- With the bases full for the second time in the third, Dylan Mayer was plunked by a pitch and brought home Andreaus Lewis to make it a three-run lead.
- In the bottom of the sixth, the Hornet tied the game at three with a base hit and an extra-base hit, respectively. Andrew Brown came in to relieve Castelluccio and forced an inning-ending groundout to second base to stop the bleeding.
- Down the stretch of the contest, with the bases loaded, Ryan Lordier was hit by a pitch, which allowed Ryan Ash to score the go-ahead run.
- In the top of the ninth, Dylan Mayer knocked an RBI double into center to drive home Trevor Hansen for another insurance tally.
- Another insurance tally came in dramatic form, with a double steal featuring Ash stealing second and Mayer stealing home in the process.
- Manhattan put the finishing touches on the game with a Salva single into right field to give the Jaspers its seventh run.
STATS AND NOTES
- Junior outfielder Aidan Taclas knocked three doubles in a three-for-six afternoon. The JUCO transfer also crossed the plate once.
- Sophomore Dylan Mayer logged one double and a stolen base in a two-for-four day in Delaware.
- Junior right-handed pitcher Andrew Castelluccio recorded a no-decision in his start. The St. John's transfer logged five and two-thirds innings of work, struck out two, and walked a pair. Additionally, he surrendered three runs, all of which were earned.
- Redshirt Freshman Andrew Brown surrendered one hit and added two strikeouts in three and a third innings of work in relief.
- The Green and White logged seven stolen bases for the second time this season as a team. The first came against Alcorn State, which also resulted in a victory for Manhattan.
NEXT UP:
Manhattan is back in action tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, March 1) for a double-header against the Hornets of Delaware State University beginning at noon, followed by the second coming 30 minutes after the first game's conclusion. The two games can be viewed for free on NEC Front Row by logging onto NECFrontRow.com.