Boxscore

MADISON, N.J. – Graduate student Joe Gallace (Harrison, N.Y./Harrison) and junior Dan Fiorito (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep) blasted a pair of home runs to give the Manhattanville baseball team a must-win game-one victory over local Freedom Conference rival FDU-Florham, 12-7, on Friday afternoon at the FDU Baseball Field.

Fiorito led the squad with four hits and four runs batted in, while Gallace had a pair of hits (triple and home run), two RBIs and four runs scored. Sophomore Sean Ferguson (Astoria, N.Y./Xavier) had three hits in the nine spot and four other Valiants had two hits each. Junior Chris Nardozzi (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) had two doubles along with doubles from sophomore John Bucci (Port Chester, N.Y./Port Chester) and freshman Hans Arias (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond).

Graduate student Alex Mason (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Rye Neck) went the distance for the Valiants on the mound and picked up his fourth victory of the season. Mason allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits, but also fanned eight Devil batters. With Mason pitching all nine innings, it allows the Valiant bullpen the opportunity to rest in the midst of an eight-games-in-nine-days span.

Senior Chad Wallace (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) gave the Valiants an early run in the first inning on a single to the shortstop that scored Bucci with the bases loaded. In the second inning, the Valiants added two more runs to take a 3-0 lead with Gallace sending a rocket over the left field fence for a two-run homer that scored Arias after he doubled down the left field line to begin the frame.

The Devils scored five times in the second on four hits, all coming with two outs. The visitors scored a run in the third inning to cut the deficit at 5-4 with an RBI single by Ferguson to left center, scoring sophomore Johnny LoVetere (Southbury, Conn./Canterbury), who singled down the right field line earlier in the inning. Manhattanville tied the game in the fourth with an RBI ground out by Fiorito to score Gallace after he led off with a triple to right field.

Both teams scored in the sixth inning to keep the score tied at six, as Fiorito's home run went to left center and the Devils' Steve Seminerio singled to right field to score a run.

The Valiants opened up the contest in the seventh inning with four runs on three hits and two errors.  With the bases loaded Bucci singled home LoVetere after he singled to begin the inning. The Valiants got a break when Gallace's fielder's choice scored two runners after a throwing error was made by the catcher. Fiorito gave the Valiants a 10-6 lead with an RBI single to center field.

FDU added a run in the eighth inning, but two more insurance runs by the Valiants in the ninth gave them a five-run victory.

Mike Winters pitched the seventh inning for the Devils and was dealt the loss after relieving starter Glenn Cox. Cox pitched six innings and was responsible for 13 hits and six runs.

Manhattanville (13-11, 5-8 Freedom) will complete the three-game series with FDU-Florham (13-8, 7-4 Freedom) tomorrow beginning the pair of games at 11 a.m. from Manhattanville Field.