Saints sweep Jaspers in first MAAC doubleheader
FISHKILL — Siena sophomore ace Tommy Miller tossed 8.1 stellar innings in the opener, and junior first baseman Joe Drpich drove in five runs in the nightcap to lead Siena Baseball to a doubleheader sweep in its MAAC opening series vs. Manhattan at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, New York. The Saints edged the Jaspers 2-1 in the lid lifter, and exploded for an eight-run seventh inning to roll to a 12-1 triumph in Game Two to run their unbeaten streak to six.
With the doubleheader sweep, Siena (9-12-1, 2-0) clinched the program’s eighth straight MAAC series win dating back to last season. The Saints have also now won eight of their last nine regular season conference games overall.
Game One: Siena 2, Manhattan 1
Miller dazzled on the mound, and senior centerfielder Dan Swain delivered his second game-winning hit of the week to lead Siena to victory in their conference opener.
Miller pitched into the ninth inning, allowing just five hits and one run in securing his third victory of the season. The sophomore southpaw walked just two, while fanning four batters.
Meanwhile Swain produced the decisive offensive blow in the pitcher’s duel, knocking in what would prove to be the winning run in the eighth. Following a leadoff double by freshman shortstop Rich Gilbride, Swain cracked an opposite field single to right to score the go-ahead tally.
Juniors Phil Madonna and Jordan Bishop and sophomore Brian Kelly each recorded two hits apiece for the Saints. Madonna tripled to lead off the fifth, and came in to score Siena’s first run on an RBI groundout by freshman rightfielder Zach Durfee.
Manhattan (5-16, 2-3) ace Joe Jacques was saddled with the hard luck loss despite striking out six Saints over eight strong innings of work. Jason Patnick tallied a pair of hits, and Brendan Bisset knocked in the Jaspers’ lone run in the third.
Game Two: Siena 12, Manhattan 1 (7)
Drpich came through big with the bases loaded twice to propel Siena to the doubleheader sweep. He notched the go-ahead, bases clearing, three-run triple in the fifth, and put the game out of reach with a bases loaded, two-run single in the seventh.
The Saints made the most of their chances in the nightcap, scoring 12 of the 19 runners they put on base over the seven-inning affair. Eight of Siena’s nine hitters reached base safely, with each of those eight getting aboard at least twice apiece.
The Saints sent 13 men to the plate during their decisive eight-run, seventh inning. In addition to Dprich’s two-run single, Bishop added a two-run single of his own. Gilbride and fellow freshman Chris Davignon each reached base twice safely in the frame.
Freshman hurler Brendan White tossed the first five innings to even his record at 3-3, while sophomore Dylan D’Anna recorded the final six outs to tally his second save of the afternoon.
Manhattan starter Tom Cosgrove recorded 11 strikeouts over six innings, but also walked six batters and allowed four runs. Michael Pfenninger paced the Jaspers offensively with a perfect 3-for-3 effort.
Siena will look to complete the series sweep Sunday at noon.