Box Score

RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College baseball team scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to overtake Fairfield University, 8-7, this afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park. It is the second time in the series in which Manhattan has won in their final at-bat. With the win, the Jaspers (24-10, 11-1) complete the series sweep of the Stags who fall to 15-18 overall and 5-7 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

Fairfield seemed to have the game in hand heading into the bottom of the ninth with a 7-4 lead. With one out, Manhattan's Austin Sheffield singled and advanced to second on a Stags misplay in right field. The Jaspers then loaded the bases for Mike McCann who singled to right driving in a pair of runs to pull Manhattan within 7-6. Ryan Masters tied the game as he scored on a groundout by Mark Onorati. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Anthony Armenio singled to right field to drive in the game-winning run.

For the Stags, junior Bill Rafferty (Guilderland, N.Y.) went 4-for-5 with a run scored while classmate Matt Tiagwad (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) went 2-for-5 with a homerun and three RBI. Junior Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) collected a pair of doubles and a run scored.

Fairfield took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning on Tiagwad's two-run blast to right field. Manhattan answered in the bottom of the frame scoring two runs to tie the game. Fairfield took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth as Rago scored after a Jaspers error.

The Stags added three more runs in the top of the seventh. The first run came on a sac fly by Carmine DeVito (Plainview, N.Y.) with one out. Rafferty then scored on an error by the Jaspers during a double steal attempt. Tiagwad followed with an RBI single to right field to give the Stags the 6-2 advantage. Manhattan got two of the runs back in the bottom of the seventh. Fairfield scored its seventh run of the day in the top of the eighth as Tucker Nathans (Warwick, N.Y.) drew a bases loaded walk.

Junior Justin Servino (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) took the loss after giving up the runs in the ninth. It was the first blown save opportunity of the season for Servino (1-1) and the first time in seven appearances in which he was scored upon. Starter Scott Gussaroff (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.) received the no-decision after allowing four runs, three earned on six hits in 6.1 innings. Senior Dan Gallagher (Allendale, N.J.) went a third of inning allowing a hit in his 62nd career appearance. Manhattan's Tom Costigan (3-1) picked up the win after allowing one run on two hits in 2.1 innings.

Fairfield and Manhattan each collected 13 hits on the day. The Stags stranded nine runners while the Jaspers left 16 men on base.

Fairfield returns to action on April 21 when it travels to UConn.