BRONX, N.Y. – The Manhattan Jaspers baseball team orchestrated a late-game rally in the ninth inning, highlighted by Sophomore Drew Wyers' two-run homer, but fell short in a 9-8 defeat to Iona on Sunday afternoon at Houlihan Park.
Prior to Saturday's loss, Manhattan (10-23, 4-8 MAAC) had only suffered one defeat to Iona (6-26, 2-10 MAAC) in their past nine match-ups.
Trailing 9-5 heading into the final frame, Kai Hutchins and Daniel Perez each singled to center, putting a runner in scoring position. A passed ball allowed Hutchins to narrow the gap, but Matt Zguro retired the next two batters, aiming to seal the victory. However, Wyers retaliated with a two-run blast, his third home run of the season, reigniting Manhattan's hopes. Zguro then pegged Frankie Marinelli, putting the tying run on base, before securing the Gael victory by striking out Vincent Davis looking at the third strike.
Zguro faced seven batters in the ninth, conceding three runs (two earned) on three hits while recording two strikeouts. Andrew Gaines was credited with the win for Iona, holding the Jaspers scoreless during his 2.0 innings on the mound.
Wyers and Hutchins each contributed two hits to Manhattan's 10-hit tally.
Garret Garbinski suffered today's loss, giving up two runs on eight hits with no walks and five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
The Jaspers will take a break from MAAC Conference action to face FDU on Wednesday afternoon at SUNY Westchester, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. They will conclude the week with a three-game road series at Marist College, commencing Friday at 3 p.m. Saturday's game at McCann Field will begin at 1 p.m., followed by Sunday's series finale at noon.