Boxscore

WEST HARRISON, N.Y. – Senior Alex Braverman (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) led the Valiants with three runs batted in, as the Manhattanville baseball team held off a late comeback by SUNY Purchase to defeat the Panthers, 9-8, on Thursday afternoon at Silver Lake Park in non-conference play.

Braverman along with junior Dan Fiorito (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep) combined for five RBIs on the afternoon, as Fiorito went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored.  Sophomores Matt Petrunti (East Granby, Conn./Loomis-Chaffee) and Sean Ferguson (Astoria, N.Y./Xavier) and freshmen Ryan Blinderman (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde) and Hans Arias (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond) each contributed with single runs scored and combined for six of the 13 hits by the Valiants.

Manhattanville got on the board with an RBI single by Braverman in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The host added five more runs in the bottom of the second inning, beginning an RBI single up the middle by freshman Ryan Blinderman (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Warde). The Valiants took a 4-0 lead with a pair of RBIs off a deep shot to the leftfield warning track by Fiorito. The hosts continued the inning with two more runs scored on a single to right field by Braverman.

The Panthers cut the deficit to 6-2 with a pair of runs off a throwing error by Valiants starter junior Pat Yannucci (New Hyde Park, N.Y./Sewanhaka).  Manhattanville scored three extra runs in the next two innings to take a 9-2 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Petrunti sent an RBI single down the left side of the field, followed by a pair in the fourth as Arias scored Braverman with a single and then Ferguson singled to score classmate Johnny LoVetere (Southbury, Conn./Canterbury).

Purchase decreased the deficit with six runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the Manhattanville lead to 9-8.

Yannucci was eventually credited with the victory after pitching five innings and allowing seven runs. Senior Justin Gray (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) completed the game and threw four innings for his first save of the season.  

Manhattanville (7-1, 0-0 Freedom) will take on DeSales University in a three-game series beginning tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. from Manhattanville Field. The Valiants will then head to Center Valley, Pa. for a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.