GAME 2 BOXSCOREBaltimore, Md. (March 12, 2006)- Manhattan overcame early deficits in both games, but could only complete the comeback in one game in today's twin bill with UMBC at the Baseball Factory Field. The Jaspers won the first game, 8-5, before dropping an 8-7 decision in the nightcap.
Matt Rizzotti and
John Fitzpatrick supplied the production in the middle of the lineup, going a combined 10-16 with eight RBI and five runs scored.
In the opener, the Retrievers hung five first inning runs on Manhattan starter Joe Culen, using a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch, and two RBI singles to build a 5-0 first inning lead.
Fitzpatrick would get Manhattan on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth with a solo blast, his first of the year, before the Jasper bats came alive in the fifth, plating four runs to knot the score at 5-5. Rizzotti started things up with a two-RBI double with the bases loaded, with Fitzpatrick and
Mike Garcia following with RBI groundouts.
The Jaspers would push across three runs in the seventh on a two-RBI double by Fitzpatrick and an RBI sacrifice fly by
Ruben Perez to take the lead.
Chris Cody went the final two innings for the win, allowing just one base runner, who was quickly eliminated on a double-play.
Kyle Wirtz came on in relief of Culen, going 3.1 innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits.
Jeremy Shaw bounced back well from his last outing, allowing just one hit in one inning of work before giving way to Cody.
In the nightcap, UMBC again struck first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first. This time Manhattan would respond quickly, as an RBI double by
Dom Lombardi and an RBI sacrifice fly by
Rene Ruiz would give the Jaspers a 2-1 lead. The lead would be short-lived, however, as the Retrievers would tack on six more in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-2 lead.
Much like the opener, the Jaspers picked up offensive momentum as the game wore on, scoring three runs in the third on a
Nick Derba homer and a
Ruben Perez RBI fielder's choice, before evening the score at 7-7 with a three run fifth.
In the fifth, Ruiz would drive in the first run with a single, before Rizzotti would plate two more with a double.
The game looked to be headed towards the final inning with the score tied, but UMBC connected on a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, and held on for the win.
Jesse Darcy went the distance for Manhattan, striking out two.
Manhattan continues its southern trip by traveling down to Palm Beach, Fla. Manhattan first game in Florida will be on Tuesday, March 14, when the Jaspers take on Long Island at 7:00 p.m.
