RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers softball team (4-16, 1-1 MAAC) split the Saturday doubleheader against the Warriors of Merrimack College (3-12, 1-1) by a score of 3-1 in favor of the Warriors. Followed by a bounce-back performance in shutout fashion, taking game two 3-0 inside Gaelic Park on Saturday afternoon.
GAME ONE (Merrimack: 3 | Manhattan: 1)
- The Jaspers began the home and conference opener in a bit of a jam, with starting pitcher Karissa Spring getting in to and out of trouble by stranding a runner in scoring position through the first four batters.
- To open the fourth inning, Merrimack got on the board with a leadoff home run before tacking on two additional insurance runs.
- In the bottom of the fifth inning, Manhattan got started with a Tajiana Pickett infield single, followed by Spring singling through the left side and putting two runners aboard.
- Two batters later, Anissa Villalobos hit a sacrifice fly into right field to log the teams' first RBI and brought home Pickett for the Jaspers' only run in the first game.
GAME TWO (Manhattan: 3 | Merrimack: 0)
- Starting with the momentum built from the front end of the doubleheader, Michayla Rodriguez knocked a base hit into left field to bring home Lindsey Hoag.
- Two batters later, Sophia Kiseloski jammed a sacrifice fly into foul territory down the left-field line to bring home Rodriguez from third.
- Following Angelina Gencarelli's single to short, Jamie Falotico doubled to left-center field to drive home the freshman to give the Jaspers a three-run edge.
- In the top of the fifth inning, the Warriors threatened with a runner on third before forcing the Warriors' Issitt to ground out to second base to end any further threat.
STATS AND NOTES
- Starting pitcher Sophia Kiseloski tossed a gem in the backend of the doubleheader, where the junior tossed eight strikeouts. Kiseloski tied a career-high with eight punchouts initially set on March 11, 2023, in a win against Buffalo.
- The Jaspers combined for 10 hits on the afternoon between the two games: four in the first and six in the latter contest.
- Manhattan swiped four bases on the day, with three coming from Anissa Villalobos, Lindsey Hoag, and Angelina Gencarelli in the win.
- In the first game, starting pitcher Karissa Spring logged nine strikeouts against Merrimack in the effort.
- Brianna Estevez knocked a double, along with Jamie Falotico, in the shutout victory.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS:
Head Coach Bridget Hurlman: "Really happy with the character the team showed by digging in and finding the will to win the second game today after a close first one. In the first game, we had our chances and just didn't capitalize enough early on. In game two, we got the timely hitting we needed and an incredible outing in the circle from Sophia. Exciting team win and looking to protect our house tomorrow by taking the series win."
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers welcome the Merrimack Warriors back to Gaelic Park tomorrow, Sunday, March 23, beginning at noon for the rubber game of the conference opening series. The contest can be viewed on GoJaspers.com.