Riverdale, N.Y. - Ramon Ortego drove a two-run, walk-off homer over the left field fence to lead Manhattan to a 9-8 win over UAlbany in non-conference baseball action on Wednesday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park.

            After falling behind, 7-3, after five innings, the UAlbany offense came alive, scoring two runs in the sixth and the seventh to tie the game at seven-all. Catcher Ralph Keppler drew a walk to start the sixth, then advanced to third on an error by Manhattan's pitcher and later scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Crean. Adam Cutspec recorded a single in the next at-bat, and made it home on a Manhattan balk. In the seventh, the Great Danes loaded the bases on an error and back-to-back hit batters before Jaspers reliever Sewett issued a walk to Crean before hitting Cutspec with a pitch to tie the game for the Great Danes.

            UAlbany took a one-run lead in the eighth. Freshman Nolan Gaige led off with a single and crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Brendan Rowland. UAlbany allowed two Manhattan runners to get on base in the bottom of the frame, but Kevin Bartlett took the mound and struck out a batter and induced a ground out to end the inning with the Great Danes still on top.

            Manhattan reliever John Soldinger made quick three outs to get through the top of the ninth and allow the Jaspers to attempt one last rally. Chad Salem knocked out a lead-off double to put the winning run at the plate. Ortega then drove a Bartlett offering to left field, ending the game in Manhattan's favor.

            Soldinger earned the win for Manhattan (15-9) while Bartlett took the loss for UAlbany. Gaige started for the Great Danes on the mound, going 3.2 innings with two strikeouts. The freshman lefty also finished with three hits and two runs scored. Freshman second baseman Brian Bullard also recorded three hits, scoring two and driving in two more.

            UAlbany (1-20) will return to action over the weekend, kicking off America East Conference play, hosting Maine in a three-game series. The teams will open with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.

-agate-

UAlbany (1-20)                        000      122      210      -           8          9          1

Manhattan (15-9)         010      420      002      -           9          14        3

            UAlbany: Nolan Gaige, Ralph Rizzo (4), Greg Lutton (6), Christian Garcia (8), Kevin Bartlett (9) and Ralph Keppler.

            Manhattan: Mike Gonzalez, Rob Ardino (4), Zac Goyer (5), Matt Jordan (6), Taylor Sewitt (7), Tom Moran (7), John Soldinger (8) and Anthony Armenio, Ramon Ortega.

Manhattan 9, UAlbany 8 (Apr 07, 2010)

2010 UAlbany Baseball
ALBANY at Manhattan College
Apr 07, 2010 at Riverdale, N.Y. (Van Cortlandt Park)

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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ALBANY.............. 000 122 210 -  8  9  1
Manhattan College... 010 420 002 -  9 14  3
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