Fans celebrate in the background as Rob Lyerly belts his first home run at Charlotte in the 11-2 game-one win over Manhattan |
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Charlotte Overpowers Manhattan for Opening Day Doubleheader Sweep
Feb. 23, 2008
Game One Box Score in PDF Format 
Game Two Box Score in PDF Format
Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers scored 24 runs in two games, sweeping visiting Manhattan 11-2 and 13-4 to open the season at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium Saturday in college baseball action. It was the first games of the season for both teams. The two teams square off at noon Sunday to complete the series.
Game one saw Charlotte blast three home runs and score nine runs in the first two innings. Last year's leading slugger and 2007 All-American Brad McElroy began his 2008 season with a two-run homer in his first at-bat. Charlotte then hit a pair of three-run home runs in the second inning. Aaron Bray, who made the defensive move from third base to second this season, hit his first career blast, an opposite field homer, to put Charlotte up 6-0. Four batters later, designated hitter and transfer Rob Lyerly hit a towering home run to right to make the score 9-0.
The Niners added a pair of runs in the seventh, one on an Alex Bryant RBI-single in that frame.
Zach Rosenbaum got the win (1-0). He lasted seven innings, allowing just three hits and three walks and both earned runs for the Jaspers. He struck out five.
Manhattan starter Tom Costigan took the loss (0-1). He allowed those first nine runs by Charlotte on seven hits and five walks. He struck out three.
Game two played as a closer affair, though Charlotte again scored three runs in the opening inning. After a pair of walks to start the frame, McElroy had an RBI-double, while catcher Chris Taylor knocked in two more runs with a single in that inning.
Manhattan put two back on the board in the fourth, one on an RBI-double by designated hitter Anthony Armenio and another when Armenio scored on a fielding error later that inning. The Jaspers were able to tie the game at three in the seventh, on an RBI-double by Keith Neito, knocking in his brother Eric, who walked.
Charlotte then poured on eight runs in the bottom of the seventh, on seven hits and two errors. Chris Taylor hit a pair of doubles in that inning, knocking in two more runs to give him four for the game. Right fielder Cory Tilton had an RBI-double also in that inning, and he added another RBI in the eighth inning on a single to left field.
Keith Moreland, in his first start in two seasons, got a no-decision after 5.2 innings. He allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, striking out four. Sam Pierce came in and pitched the final 3.1 innings and struck out five to get his first win of the season (1-0). He gave up two hits and two walks, allowing one run.
Seven different Niners drove in at least one run in the second game, with five driving in a run or more in the first game. Taylor finished with five hits to lead the Niners, with he and McElroy driving in four runs on the afternoon.
Kevin Neito netted three hits on the day to lead Manhattan.
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