Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

The Canisius College baseball team swept its second consecutive doubleheader, defeating Long Island 6-1 and 16-7 on Sunday, in Gastonia N.C. Canisius starts the season 4-0 for the third time in 54 years, as the Griffs started 4-0 in 1978 and 7-0 in 1954. In the opener, senior Josh Sawatzky went five innings, scattering six hits and allowing one run to pick up the win in his first start as a Golden Griffin.

Junior Andrew Van'tWout relieved Sawatzky in the sixth with the bases loaded and nobody out. Van'tWout proceeded to strike out the side and struck out four of the minimum six batters to pick up the save.

Junior Connor Burke had two doubles, an RBI and a run scored while freshman Steve McQuail had two hits and an RBI. Junior Kevin Mailloux also had two hits and scored a run while Branson Joseph added an RBI single and scored a run.
In the second game, Canisius broke it open in the second inning when the Griffs sent 17 batters to the plate, scoring 13 runs.

Junior Kevin Reimer went 3-for-4 with two doubles and five RBIs. Joseph went 2-for-3 with a three-run homerun in the nightcap while Burke also had a round-tripper. Senior Adam Donato had two hits, an RBI and three runs scored. Freshman Brian Burton went 2-for-5 with an RBI while junior Alex Cabello was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomore Perry Silverman added a double and scored a run while Ryan Asis had an RBI single.

Freshman Shane Davis picked up the win while freshman Josh Marshall, sophomore Bryan Smith and junior Aaron Boag each pitched an inning of relief.

“We had an outstanding start to the season this weekend. Our guys really swung the bats well and played good defense,” Canisius coach Mike McRae said. “We have some things to work on, but this is a great way to get the season rolling.”

Canisius continues its season-opening road trip next weekend with four games at Appalachian State.