Marist Eliminated from MAAC Baseball Championship, Griffs Win 5-0
MAAC Sports
FISHKILL, N.Y. – The Marist Red Foxes were eliminated from the 2015 MAAC Baseball championship on Thursday after falling to Canisius 5-0. After defeating Monmouth, Marist turned around to play Canisius but could not muster up the offense to stay alive in the tournament. Canisius advances to play top seeded Rider at 3:30pm on Friday, May 22 at Dutchess Stadium in a quarterfinal matchup and the third elimination game of the championship.
Following a twelve run showing in game five, Marist could not repeat the offensive attack against Canisius in game six. The Griffs on the other hand were able to put runs on the board after crossing just one run over the plate earlier in the day. Canisius got on the scoreboard early plating a run in the first inning. Outfielder Connor Panas led off the game with a hit by pitch and instantaneously stole second safely. With one out, infielder Jesse Puscheck walked to have runners on first and second. Panas and Puscheck successfully completed a double steal to move two runners into scoring position. On a wild pitch Panas came into score what would wind up being the game winning run.
J.P. Stevenson started the game for the Griffs on the mound and pitched three innings of one hit ball, including consecutive one-two-three innings. In the bottom of the second, the Griffs Jack Massa reached on an error to lead off the inning. Infielder Anthony Massicci sacrificed the runner over to second and a passed ball sent Massa to third. After back to back walks, the bases were loaded as Panas came to the plate and was hit by an inside pitch to bring home a second run for Canisius. Both runs had been scored without a hit being recorded for the Griffs.
Stevenson allowed just 1 hit in the third and was relieved in the fourth by Tyler Smith. Smith pitched two and two-thirds innings giving up three hits and striking out four. Marist starter Chris Napolitano settled in and worked scoreless innings through the fifth before Canisius was able to record additional runs on the board. MAAC Player of the Year Brett Siddall led off the inning with a double to left center for the Golden Griffins. Massa attempted a sacrifice bunt to move Siddall over to third, but the ball was thrown away scoring Siddall and moving Massa to second. Massicci singled to the left side moving Massa to third and advanced to second on the throw putting two runners in scoring position. Designated hitter Mike Krische singled up the middle scoring Massa for the 4-0 lead. Napolitano was relieved by Tyler Dearden and Griff outfielder Cyrus Senior snuck a single down the right field line landing in fair territory, driving in Massicci for the five run advantage. Dearden induced two ground balls to get out of the inning.
Eric Stolzenburg came in to relieve Smith for the Griffs and over two and a third innings pitched allowed just two hits before Iannick Remillard came in to close out the game and put an end to the Red Foxes season. Marist threatened in the ninth with two runners reaching base on singles by Stephen Laurino and Joey Aiola, but Remillard was able to close the book on the nightcap for the Griffs 5-0 win.
Stevenson got the win for the Griffs and ended his afternoon with a throwing three innings allowing just one hit with two strikeouts. Massicci finished his day going two for two walking once and scoring a run.
For the Red Foxes, Napolitano threw five innings giving up five runs, four earned, on four hits and three walks while striking out four. Laurino finished his day three for four.
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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