RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers softball team (8-21, 5-6 MAAC) took down the Peacocks of Saint Peter's University (9-20, 1-8 MAAC) by a score of 11-10 inside Gaelic Park on Friday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After sweeping the Sacred Heart Pioneers to tally its fourth and fifth, the Jaspers opened their home contest slower than expected.
- Following the Peacocks' five-run output through the first three innings, Manhattan clawed its way back with a pair crossing the plate thanks to two key errors by the Saint Peters' defense.
- With Michaela Rodriguez on first, Karissa Spring singled up the middle and brought home Rodriguez after an error by the opposing center fielder.
- Up to bat next was Jamie Falotico, who launched an infield single to shortstop to bring home Spring from third and narrowed the Peacocks' lead to just one.
- In the bottom of the fifth, the Jaspers doubled up Saint Peter's, starting with a Spring RBI double up the middle to tie the game at five.
- With two outs in the fifth inning, Angelina Gencarelli slapped a base knock into right field to drive home Spring.
- Two batters later, after Anissa Villalobos doubled to left-center, Brianna Estevez logged an inside-the-park home run to tack on two more insurance runs.
- After Saint Peter's stormed back and tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, Manhattan opened the sixth with a Spring double, followed by a Kalyn Markel single to left field to drive Spring home as the game-winning and go-ahead run.
- Victoria Diaz slammed the Peacocks' door shut in the top of the seventh by retiring the side in order.
STATS AND NOTES
- Manhattan and Brianna Estevez slapped the first inside-the-park home run of the 2025 campaign in the fifth inning.
- Karissa Spring led the Jaspers with three base hits and two runs batted in during the first game of the three-game set.
- Additionally, Spring has recorded hits in four of her previous five games and scored four runs in the last two contests.
- The Jaspers swiped two bags courtesy of Brianna Estevez and Michayla Rodriguez.
- Victoria Diaz secured her first victory of the season in 1.2 innings of work and tossed 30 total pitches in the outing.
- Lindsay Hoag has now logged hits in three of her last four games while crossing the plate three times in the previous two games.
- Kalyn Markel has also etched hits in three of her last four appearances, including the game-winning base knock this afternoon against Saint Peter's.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS:
Head Coach Bridget Hurlman: "The team grinded out the win today with big bats in less than ideal playing conditions. Days like today you have to be the mentally tougher team to come out on top. The team responded even after getting down early, and everyone found a way to contribute to the win. We need to remain focused and sharp as a group going into Sunday to finish the series strong."
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers return to the dirt on Sunday, April 13, beginning at 12 p.m. for a doubleheader against the Saint Peter's Peacocks at Gaelic Park. The twin-bill will be able to be seen on GoJaspers.com.
