KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Notching a tally in the win column for the first time since March 23, the Manhattanville University baseball team earned themselves a Skyline Conference split against USMMA, taking the first bout 4-3, and falling in the second game 4-2.
Game One: Manhattanville 4, Merchant Marine 3
Ryan McCann (Medford, N.Y./Longwood) continued to carve through opposing lineups in conference play, pitching all seven innings for the Valiants, allowing only three runs while punching out seven batters.
Merchant Marine was able to grab ahold of the lead early in the contest, using the bottom half of the first inning to seize a 2-0 lead. After leading off the inning with a single and taking second thanks to an error by the pitcher and loading the bases with a walk and hit-by-pitch the Mariners scored two from a single to the shortstop, driving in the runners in scoring position.
The Mariners starter held the Valiants scoreless for the first five innings of play, allowing only three hits until the top of the sixth when the Valiants jumped all over the opposing hurler. Manhattanville would get the bases loaded, starting with two walks, then adding on a single by Aidan Rosario (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich). Brian Brezosky (Garnerville, N.Y./North Rockland) would come to at-bat with a pinch-hit appearance, singling to the shortstop and driving in the first run of the inning while keeping the bases juiced. Anthony Mezzaucella (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) laced a single to center field to bring home two more runs, while keeping a baserunner on third and after swiping second, CJ Archul (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South) would score from third on a wild pitch for the fourth run of the inning, and a 4-2 score.
Merchant Marine would slice the built-up lead in half, after doubling to center field, bringing around the baserunner, for a 4-3 mark.
The Valiants were able to close the Mariners offense in the bottom of the seventh, securing their third conference win of the year.
Rosario finished with a 3-for-4 day, as Mezzaucella followed with a 2-for-3 outing with two RBIs.
Game Two: Manhattanville 2, Merchant Marine 4
Manhattanville was able to strike first in game two, using the top of the second inning to take the lead. Reaching with an error on the second baseman, a sacrifice bunt would move up the runner to scoring position. Anthony Iazzetti (Tuxedo, N.Y./Don Bosco Prep) then singled to center field, bringing around the baserunner for the first run of the game, and the 1-0 lead.
Merchant Marine was able to answer back, as they led off the bottom of the third inning with a solo blast to left field, evening things up at one-all.
The Mariners were able to claim the lead next time up to bat, after leading the inning with a single up the middle of the infield. A double through the left side of the infield would drive in the next run with a subsequent single plating another baserunner, for a 3-1 USMMA lead.
A final Merchant Marine run in the fifth inning from an RBI single would prove to be too much for the Valiants to mount in the second game, giving the Mariners a 4-2 victory.
Ray White (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland) started the game on the bump for Manhattanville, going three and two-thirds innings, allowing three earned runs.
Ryan Osso (Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester), Rosario, and Archul all finished the second bout with two hits apiece.
Up Next
The Valiants take a week break from the diamond, taking the field again at home against Farmingdale at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.
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