box score

PURCHASE, N.Y. – Manhattanville used a five-run sixth inning to propel it to a 9-7 win over Wilkes University to snap the Colonels 11-game win streak. The setback was also the first in league play as they moved to 14-5 overall and 2-1 in Freedom Conference action.

With the game tied at three after five innings of play, the Valiants banged out five singles and a double that resulted in five runs to give them the lead for good. The Colonels out-hit Manhattanville 15-12 with five players picking up multiple hits on the day. Not only did Wilkes pick up more base hits, but it also left 11 runners on base.

The Valiants broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth when Paul Blejec hit a triple scoring Stephen Pinto, who doubled to start the inning. An error by the Colonels allowed Blejec to score on the play. Manhattanville would finish with three extra base hits on the day.

Wilkes answered the following inning by tallying five hits, including a two-run single by Matt Ruch (Dallas, Pa./Holy Redeemer ). John Florance (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Forks) led off the inning with a single and would later steal second. He would eventually come around to score on a Manhattanville throwing error for the Colonels first run. Shane Keister (Middleburg, Pa./Midd-West) singled to third and would move to second on a single by Eric Wetzel (New Berlin, N.J./Mifflinburg). Mike McAndrew (Avoca, Pa./Pittston Area) loaded the bases with a bunt single before Ruch's hit tied the game at three.

The lead wouldn't last long as the Valiants got an RBI single from Chris Nardozzi to give them the lead for good.

A late comeback saw the Colonels score three more runs in the eighth inning off two hits and two more Manhattanville errors. The Valiants would finish the game with four miscues while Wilkes had three.

Manhattanville scored its final run in the bottom of the eighth inning before Wilkes would threaten again after picking up three more hits in the top of the ninth. The Colonels would only be able to plate one run and left two runners on.

Tom Buckler (Plains, Pa./Coughlin) picked up his first loss of the season and is now 6-1 on the year while the Colonels are now 14-5 overall and 2-1 in Freedom Conference play. They will return to action tomorrow when they host Baptist Bible at 4 p.m. in Kingston.