Golden Griffins Survive Broncs, Advance to MAAC Baseball Championship Semifinals
MAAC Sports
FISHKILL, N.Y. – Canisius advances past the Rider Broncs to face third-seeded Quinnipiac tonight, Friday, May 22 at 7pm. The winner of tonight’s game, either Canisius or Quinnipiac, will face the fourth seeded Siena on Saturday, May 23 in the 2015 MAAC Baseball Championship final at 12pm.
The game was a tale of two halves, as Rider controlled the first half of the game and Canisius controlled the latter half. Following freshman pitcher Nick Margevicius’ first inning of work, allowing just one hit, the Rider offense got to work against Canisius starter Devon Stewart. With one out, outfielder James Locklear singled through the left side bringing Justin Thomas to the plate. Thomas took a pitch and turned on it to drive a long ball that wrapped around the left field foul pole for a two run homerun giving the Broncs a 2-0 lead. Margavicius pitched his way out of the second inning leaving two runners on base.
In the bottom of the second the Broncs added two more to extend their lead. Patrick Murphy and Eric Strano were both hit by pitches putting runners on first and second with no outs. Stewart struck out two straight, but Nick Richter got a hold of one and doubled down the left field line scoring Murphy and Strano to go ahead 4-0.
Heading into the bottom of the fourth Rider again lengthened their lead. After another inning of back to back hit by pitches, Nick Richter barreled up and doubled down the right field line scoring Lee Lipinski for a 5-0 score. The fifth inning would split the first and second half of the game as both pitchers were able to get out of trouble without allowing a run. In the sixth inning Canisius would begin to find their offense, registering their first run of the game. With one out catcher Jack Massa would single up the middle followed by a Jake Lumley single through the right side. On a wild pitch the runners moved into scoring position. Anthony Massicci sent a long fly to left field that was caught in foul territory but was far enough to sacrifice Massa home for the Griffs first run.
Stewart got through the sixth and in the seventh Canisius would again deal some damage. Margevicius gave up a single to Connor Panas and Mike Krische was hit by a pitch before Josh Sharik came in to relieve the freshman. Brett Siddall singled to right center driving in Panas and Ryan Stekl sacrificed the runners to scoring position. Jesse Puscheck singled up the middle driving in Krische and Siddall for a 5-4 score giving momentum to the Griffs. Stewart settled down in the seventh and sent the Bobcats down one, two, three.
With two outs in the eighth, Cyrus Senior reached on an infield single to begin Canisius’ comeback. Panas singled through the right side to put runners on first and second. Krische knocked a soft infield grounder that was picked up by the second base bag, but Panas would slide in head first into the base and beat the tag to load the bases for Siddall. MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year Eric Thomas would come in to relieve Sharik for the Broncs. Siddall turned on a fastball and sent a towering shot over the right field wall for a grand slam driving in four to take the lead 8-5.
In the bottom of the eighth reliever Iannick Remillard came in to relieve Stewart for Canisius. A Murphy walk led to a Lipinski double to left center that drove in Murphy bringing the Broncs within two runs. In the ninth inning Eric Thomas was able to work out of trouble to bring Rider back to the plate. The Broncs would not go quietly as Tyler Kaiser would pinch hit and take first base on a hit by pitch to start the inning for Rider. With one out, Brian Uliana’s infield single advanced Kaiser to second. Greg Fazio came up and drove a single up the middle to score Kaiser. Remillard would bear down and induce a groundball for a double play to secure the win for Canisius.
Stewart finished the game throwing seven innings giving up five runs on five hits and walking none while striking out five. Siddall finished his day going three for five driving in five runs and scoring two for Canisius.
For the Broncs, Margavicius threw six innings giving up three runs on six hits and walking two while striking out four. Richter finished his day two for three driving in three runs.
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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