Siena Defeats Manhattan 4-1 in Elimination Game of the Softball Championship
MAAC Sports
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Fourth- seed Siena College defeated third-seed Manhattan College, 4-1, in an elimination game of the 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Softball Championship at Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, New York on the campus of Canisius College.
Leadoff hitter, Stephanie Viggiano scored the first run of the game for Siena in the top of the first off a Manhattan fielding error giving Siena a 1-0 early edge. In the bottom of the first with bases loaded and two outs, Manhattan’s Stephanie Reinhardt drew an RBI walk, sending Elena Bowman across the plate to even the game at 1-1.
The top of the third would see Manhattan escape a jam, earning two put outs at third base, for the final two outs of the inning.
In the top of the fifth, leadoff batter Paige Lloyd got on base with a single followed by a double from Abby Carpenter which set up a three-run home run by Paige Hess, to give Siena a 4-1 lead with no outs. The very next batter, Alyssa Lancaster, reached base on a double, but Manhattan would retire the next three batters in a row to limit the damage to just three runs.
Both Manhattan and Siena went three up and three down in the sixth inning, sending the elimination game into the seventh and final inning with the Saints leading 4-1.
In the top of the seventh, Siena loaded the bases with two outs, but Manhattan pitcher Amy Bright got out of the jam, striking out Brooke Taylor and preserving the 4-1 deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh. Siena closed out the game by retiring the Jaspers in order.
Lauren Butts (10-10) was awarded the win in six innings of action, retiring six batters. Briana Matazinsky (9-7) received the loss after giving up four earned runs.
Siena will take on second-seed Fairfield University in the next elimination game today with the winner advancing to Saturday’s 12:00 p.m. title round against fifth-seed Monmouth University. Manhattan’s season comes to an end with a 26-20 overall mark.