Saints Take Two During First Day of MAAC Baseball Championship
MAAC Sports
FISHKILL, N.Y. – The Siena team effort led to a second win, 5-4, over the top seeded Rider Broncs. The Saints starting pitcher Bryan Goossens went the distance marking the third complete game win of the day, second for Siena, during the opening day of the 2015 MAAC Baseball Championship. Siena advances in the winner’s bracket of the championship and on Friday, May 22 at noon will face the winner game four featuring second seeded Canisius and third seeded Quinnipiac taking place Thursday, May 21 at noon. Rider will play again on Friday, May 22 at 3:30pm with an opponent yet to be determined.
Siena continued their offensive attack in their second game of the afternoon as infielder Jordan Bishop singled to right center with one out to get the Saints started. Infielder Justin Esquerra drew a walk to move runners onto first and second leading to Brian Fay’s single that brought Bishop around to score, giving Siena the 1-0 lead. Rider starting pitcher Zach Mawson was able to bear down and induce a double play to end the inning.
Rider would come to the plate and answer right away as infielder Nick Richter singled through the middle followed up with another single to left center by outfielder James Locklear moving runners to the corners. Infielder Justin Thomas skied a ball to right field for the sacrifice fly bringing Richter into score, tying the game up for the Broncs at 1-1 heading into the second.
Mawson returned to the mound getting two quick outs before a ground rule double down the third base line by Dan Lowndes put a runner in scoring position for Siena. Infielder Tyler Martis singled to left field driving in Lowndes putting the Saints up once again 2-1. Mawson would work out of the inning to give the Broncs another shot to put runs on the board.
Rider’s bats came alive in the bottom of the inning as infielder Patrick Murphy singled through the right side. Catcher Eric Strano hit a ground rule double down the left field line to advance Murphy to third. Infielder Mike Parsons flew out to center field on a sacrifice fly to drive in Murphy tying the game at 2-2. Following a foul out, Richter came to the plate and smacked a single to left field scoring Strano and advancing to second on the through. Richter would move to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Locklear single to left center giving the Broncs a 4-2 lead.
Neither pitcher would allow a run to cross the plate over the course of the next three innings as Mason followed up a Saints single with three straight outs. Goossens got into trouble in the bottom of the inning allowing back to back singles before working his way out of the inning unscathed. Both pitchers would work perfect back to back innings leading into the top of the sixth.
Siena started the inning reaching on an error with one out putting Esquerra on first, advancing to second on a passed ball. Catcher Dave Hoffman would walk bringing MAAC Rookie of the Year Joe Drpich to the plate. With a three and one count Drpitch slugged a two out, three run home run far over the right field fence giving the Saints a 5-4 lead and momentum. Mawson would give up two more hits before settling out of the inning.
Goossens took the mound in the bottom of the sixth and would use Siena’s momentum to push through the final innings not allowing a hit the remainder of the game. Rider would not be able to muster up any offense late in the game and the Saints would take the victory. Goosssens finished the nightcap throwing nine innings surrendering four runs, three earned, on eight hits while striking out four and walking none. Drpich ended the night one for four with a run scored and three runs batted in.
Mawson threw seven innings giving up five runs, two earned, on eight hits walking three and striking out three. Richter finished the game two for four scoring twice and knocking in one run.
Play will continue tomorrow at 12pm as second seeded Canisius takes on three seeded Quinnipiac. Tickets for the MAAC Baseball Championship are on sale now at the Dutchess Stadium box office. Admission will be $20 per day for adults and $5 per day for kids 12 and under. All seating is general admission.
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