The Manhattan Jaspers (32-18, 12-6 MAAC) assertively responded in game two of the doubleheader against Quinnipiac (22-26, 8-10 MAAC) to avoid the series sweep. The Jaspers rallied behind an explosive fourth inning to defeat the Bobcats by a lopsided final score of 10-2, while staying afloat in the upper tier of the MAAC standings. On the other hand, Quinnipiac desperately needed both of these victories in order to have a legitimate chance in qualifying for the postseason tournament. The Bobcats currently sit in ninth place the 11-team conference coming into today, with only two more games to be played in the regular season.
The scoring got started in the top of the third as Manhattan’s Lauren Pitney drove home left fielder Shannon Puthe to draw first blood in game two. Catcher Jenn Vazquez followed that up with an opposite field rip to bring home junior Briana Matazinsky, extending Manhattan’s lead to 2-0. Despite the two quick tallies, Quinnipiac starting pitcher Casey Herzog would counter that with three consecutive strikeouts to end the third inning.
The Jaspers showed up big time in the fourth inning at the plate. After several Jasper hits created another bases-loaded situation in this series, a pitching change was made by Quinnipiac head coach Jill Karwoski from Herzog to sophomore Kendall Brundrett. Though Brundrett started off strong by forcing a pop-out for the inning’s second out, a miscommunication between left fielder Sarah Heimbach and the infield caused three Jasper runs to score, boosting their lead to 5-0. Ensuing the Jasper three-run tally was a one-run Pitney line drive to center field and a two-run hit by first baseman Christine Gebhardt, concluding the offensive explosion. The Jaspers registered six runs, five hits, and forced two errors to lead 8-0 after four innings of play.
After a quick inning executed by Brundrett and the Bobcats, Florida native Erin Larsen gave some hope for Quinnipiac as she struck a two-run home run to left field to cut the Jaspers’ lead to 8-2. Manhattan’s starting pitcher Nicole Williams quickly ended that potential hope, only allowing two runs not only in the inning, but the entire game. The Jaspers finished their scoring with two additional runs in the top of the sixth, as Gebhardt drove home Pitney and Vazquez to reach double-digit runs for the fourth time this season. These two extra runs, along with a scoreless bottom of the sixth, resulted in the eight-run mercy rule coming into effect, ending the game in six innings instead of seven on Senior Day.
Williams finished game two with an impressive 13 strikeouts and only two runs allowed, while tossing 77 total pitches. Many other Jaspers had productive games, too: Matazinsky registered two runs, three hits and two RBIs, Vazquez tallied two runs and three hits, and Gerbhardt finished with two hits, four RBI’s and one double.
The Bobcats will finish up their regular season tomorrow on the road in a doubleheader against the Fairfield Stags.
