FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University baseball team continues Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play this weekend, hosting Manhattan University for a three-game series at Veterans Park. The series opener is set for Friday at 3 p.m., with first pitch on Saturday and Sunday scheduled for 1 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Pioneers secured their fourth consecutive series victory last weekend, taking two of three games against Saint Peter's. After a narrow 9-8 loss in the opener, SHU rebounded with convincing 13-4 and 11-9 wins to claim the series.
Senior outfielder Alex Ungar led the offense, hitting .462 across the three games with two home runs and six RBIs—five of which came in Sunday's finale. He also contributed defensively with nine putouts and an assist, throwing out a runner at the plate.
SHU dropped an 8-3 decision at Boston College in a midweek matchup on Tuesday. Gavin Donohue, Ronan Donohue, and Peter Link each recorded two hits, while Alex Ungar reached base four times. Bryan Matuschat made his collegiate debut on the mound, getting the start.
SCOUTING MANHATTAN
Manhattan was picked 10th out of 13 teams in the MAAC Preseason Poll and enters the weekend with a 7-12 overall record, including a 2-4 mark in conference play. The Jaspers opened MAAC play by taking two of three from Siena before being swept at home by Fairfield.
Manhattan faced St. John's in a midweek contest on Tuesday, falling 11-7.
Offensively, Andreaus Lewis leads the Jaspers with a .368 batting average, 1.034 OPS, .579 slugging percentage, .455 on-base percentage, and 16 RBIs. Trevor Hansen paces the team with three home runs.
On the mound, Manhattan has utilized 18 different pitchers this season, with only one, Andrew Castelluccio, qualifying statistically. Castelluccio has made five appearances, including three starts, posting a 1-1 record with a 5.09 ERA.
Sacred Heart and Manhattan have met eight times, with the Jaspers holding a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series. The teams last faced off in 2020, with this weekend being the first time they have met as conference opponents.
UP NEXT
Sacred Heart embarks on a 10-game road stretch, beginning with a midweek matchup at Bryant on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
