Siena Baseball scored two runs apiece in the final two innings – and had both the tying and winning runs on in the ninth – but couldn't complete the comeback in a 6-5 series-opening setback to Manhattan at Connors Park.
 
Manhattan (16-27, 8-11) put up a decisive four-spot in the third highlighted by a three-run home run from Chase Swain to set the tone early. Swain registered three hits and stole a base to pace the Jaspers, who've now captured 13 of the past 16 matchups in the series.
 
Siena (8-33, 4-12) chipped away, getting on the board on a solo home run from Tyler Figueroa in the sixth before rallying within 4-3 on a bases loaded walk and wild pitch in the eighth.
 
But Manhattan got both runs back, responding with a pair of crucial insurance tallies to extend their lead back to three at 6-3 heading to the home half of the ninth.
 
Nonetheless, four straight Siena batters reached with one out in the ninth on a hit batsman and three consecutive walks to make it 6-4. A fielder's choice pulled the Saints back within a run again at 6-5, with runners at the corners and two outs. But Jac Mahoney ended the game with a strikeout for the Jaspers to hand Siena its eighth one-run loss this season, including their fourth in MAAC action.
 
Figueroa and Gavin Thorburn had a pair of hits apiece for the Saints which mustered just six total to start a pivotal season-long nine-game homestand to close out their Connors Park slate.
 
Billy Rozakis kept Siena in it with 5.2 solid innings of relief, while registering his 100^th career strikeout.
 
Due to the projected forecast Sunday, the series will wrap up with doubleheader action Saturday beginning at noon. The Saints will celebrate their five seniors in a special ceremony at 11:40 a.m.