NEW ROCHELLE, NY - A four-run eighth inning for the Iona College baseball team came up a run short in a 6-5 loss to Manhattan in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Salesian Field. The Gaels had the tying run in scoring position in the inning but came up just short against the MAAC regular season champions in the series opener.
A four-run fifth inning put the Jaspers ahead of the Gaels. Iona got a run back in their half of the frame when junior C
James Beck drove in classmate 3B
Chris Burke with two out in the inning.
Manhattan scored two key insurance runs in the seventh to take a 6-1 advantage. A lead-off home run by senior 2B
Nick Rossetti started the rally in the eighth inning for the Gaels. Sophomore CF
Anthony Muccio was hit by a 3-2 pitch while SS
Matthew Kriss reached base on an infield single. After senior C
Chris Griffin walked, Iona's hottest hitter with the bases loaded this season, freshman RF
Joe Smith delivered a seeing-eye two-run single up the middle to put runners on first and third. After Manhattan recorded its first out of the inning, a double steal with Smith and Griffin led to the Gaels fourth run of the frame. With runners on first and third and two out, Jasper reliever Taylor Sewitt induced a ground ball to second base to end the rally.
Iona recorded out hit Manhattan 9-5 led by Griffin's two singles. Eight of the Gaels nine starters reached base via a hit.
Junior LHP
Colin Lyall tossed six innings and was charged with all six runs in the loss. Freshman RHP
Stephen Bianchi and senior LHP
Brian Callahan combined for three scoreless innings to keep the Gaels in the ball game.
Manhattan senior Mark Onorati delivered the big blow in the game with a two-run, two-out home run in the fifth for the visitors.
The two teams complete the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at noon. The Gaels will honor their five seniors prior to their season finale in the second game.
Score by Innings R H E
Manhattan........... 000 040 200 - 6 5 1
Iona College........ 000 010 040 - 5 9 0
