PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - Following seventh-inning heroics by the Mariners, the Manhattanville University baseball team fell to USMMA in the winner's bracket portion of the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament, 8-4. With the loss, the Valiants now jump to the loser's bracket portion of the tournament, taking on top-seeded St. Joesph's-Long Island. 

Merchant Marine got the scoring started in the bottom of the first, getting ahold of the Valiant hurler early. USMMA kicked things off with back-to-back singles from Tommy Chiappetti and Garrett Clapsaddle, eventually moving runners to the corners. Tyler Reistetter singled through the middle of the infield, bringing the runner from third home for the first run of the inning. Charles Cahalan subsequently singled to second base, bringing around another runner for a 2-0 lead. 

In the top of the third, Manhattanville would answer back in a big way, with Anthony Pressimone (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) walking on his at-bat. Jake Parisi (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) followed that with a single to right field, bringing Joseph McDonald (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) to walk on four balls, and loading the bases. Gregory Tashik (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park Jr./Sr.) would step into the box, lacing a double to left center and clearing the bases giving the Valiants a 3-2 lead. 

No action would be seen until the bottom of the seventh, when Chiappetti and Clapsaddle both singled to start off the inning. Travis Leatherwood would single up the middle bringing home the lead runner, tying the contest at three-all. Reistetter doubled down the left field line to plate another run, giving the Privateers back the lead. Ben Bridges would produce a productive out to the pitcher, for their final run of the inning, pinning the score at 5-3 in USMMA's favor. 

The Valiants would threaten in the top of the eighth, as Christian Amoruso (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West) led off with a walk, with CJ Archul (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South) reaching from an error by the third baseman. Pressimone singled to right center to bring the Valiants within striking distance, at 5-4. 

USMMA would use the bottom eighth to put up a crooked three spot for the second straight inning, as Jack Millen and Chiappetti both reached base safely. Leatherwood would sac fly out to center, plating another run for the Privateers. Leading to a double steal attempt by USMMA, proving to be successful, Chiappetti stole home to put the score at 7-4. Bridges' single would drive in the final run of the inning, pinning the contest at 8-4, making way for the Merchant Marine closer Caden Pierce for the save attempt. 

His attempt would prove to be successful, as he would produce a ground ball double play for the first two outs of the inning, as the final out was recorded by the third baseman. 

Ryan McCann (Medford, N.Y./Longwood) was tabbed with the loss on the mound for the Valiants, as his six and one-third innings of work was not enough to secure the win. 

Up Next 

The Valiants return to Gregg Alfano field, for their elimination game against top-seeded St. Joseph's-Long Island. 

VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and YouTube. #WeAreValiant #GoValiants