Box Score
Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. – In 2014, the Manhattan College softball team saw its season come to an end at the hands of Iona in the championship game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament. The two teams met again to open the 2015 event, and again it was Iona that came out on top, as the sixth-seeded Gaels (16-26) notched a 10-0 victory over the third-seeded Jaspers (25-19) at the Demske Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
The game was scoreless thru four, and Amy Bright (Manlius, N.Y.) quickly retired the first two Gaels in the fifth before a Kelsey Long single started a seven-run rally for Iona. After Allison Hand was hit by a pitch and Ashlyn Morris singled to load the bases, Kristen Turner broke the deadlock with a two-run single to right. Christine Costello followed with an RBI single, and Sarah Schutz added a two-run base hit of her own. In total, Iona sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning, collecting seven hits, as 10 consecutive Gaels reached base.
Meredith Bryant (Brielle, N.J.) drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth, and the Jaspers had a runner on first with two out for Elena Bowman (San Mateo, Calif.). However, she struck out to end the inning. Iona then added three more in the top of the sixth. After a leadoff single by Morris, Turner crushed a two-run homer to right center, and Schutz later belted a solo shot to left center that made it 10-0.
Needing three runs to keep the game alive, Manhattan loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth. Jenn Vazquez (Fairfield, Conn.) drew a leadoff walk and was safe at second on an error when Sydney Weedon (North Tustin, Calif.) sent a ground ball to short. Andi Stallard (Katy, Texas) then ripped a two-out single to left. However, Anna Crowley (Eastchester, N.Y.) was retired on a popup behind third, and Manhattan lost its MAAC Tournament opener to Iona for the second straight season.
As a team, the Jaspers were held to just five hits. Vazquez reached base all three times she came up, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk. Mickayla Romero (Las Vegas, Nev.), Stephanie Reinhardt (Albany, N.Y.) and Stallard had the other three Manhattan singles. Bright (14-9) took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits and striking out four in 4.2 innings. Erin Hamm (Collegeville, Pa.) was charged with two runs, two hits and a walk, while Danielle Gabriel (Island Heights, N.J.) pitched the final 1.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Turner ended up 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs for the Gaels, while Schutz was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Morris also finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and Long went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run. Costello (6-7) tossed a complete game five-hitter in the circle. She struck out eight and walked four.
Manhattan now drops into the loser's bracket and will be eliminated with another loss. The Jaspers' first must-win contest is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Manhattan will take on the loser of the game between No. 1 Canisius and No. 5 Monmouth.
