By Gio Annatelli – STAFF WRITER
The Pride baseball team capitalized on a three-run rally in the seventh inning to comeback and defeat the Manhattan Jaspers 4-2, Tuesday at University Field. This was Hofstra’s first actual home game, since the Mitchel Athletic Field hosted the first four home games due to snow at University Field.
With the win, Hofstra broke their three-game losing streak and improved to 6-11 on the season.
Hofstra mustered up four hits, but utilized the Jaspers’ four errors in order to score three unearned runs.
The Jaspers struck first in the third inning. Joe McClennan led off the inning with his first of two doubles on the day. Matt Forlow attempted a sacrifice bunt, which was fielded by Hofstra pitcher Brian MacDonald, but the throw to first base was too high.
McClennan scored and Forlow advanced to third. Christian Santisteban delivered a two-out run scoring single to put Manhattan up 2-0.
Once Hofstra batter Chris Hardardt lined a shot off of Manhattan pitcher Tom Cosgrove, he tried to track the ball down to get the out but overthrew the ball wide to first and Hardardt hustled to third after the throwing error.
After Dalton Rouleau drew a walk, Hardardt scored off another throwing error by Cosgrove during a pickoff attempt to first, putting Hofstra in contention 2-1.
In the bottom of the seventh and runners on second and first, Brad Witkowski bombed a double off the left field wall, driving in the tying run. Ryan Donovan followed up with an two-run infield hit between the pitcher’s mound and second base that drove in the following runs.
Mat Annunziata reached home plate and Witkowski never slowed down around third, which prompted a throw to home from Jaspers pitcher Casey Meyers. The throw missed its target and Witkowski scored while Donovan advanced to second off the throwing error.
Brendan Mulligan (1-0), who allowed one hit in the top of the seventh inning, received the win. Matt Weissheier threw a perfect eighth inning and Chris Weiss followed with a perfect ninth inning to pick up his first career save.
MacDonald picked up the no decision, allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits and six strikeouts in six innings of work.
Manhattan pitcher Steve Arntsen (0-2) picked up the loss, letting up three runs, one earned, on one hit in a third of an inning.
