The Canisius College baseball team had a game-winning single from Kevin Mahoney in the bottom of the ninth in the first game and received its sixth consecutive complete game from Shane Davis in game two as the Golden Griffins swept a doubleheader from Manhattan at the Demske Sports Complex Saturday. Canisius won the first game 9-8 and won the second game 6-2 to open a two-game lead in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Junior Alec Cabello led Canisius (31-8, 11-3 MAAC) with five hits on the day while senior Adam Donato hit two home runs for the Griffs. Mahoney had three RBIs and three runs scored in the doubleheader.
“It's good to get back to our winning ways. We didn't play particularly well in the first game, but we found a way to win,” Canisius coach Mike McRae said. “I thought we played very well in the second game to cap off a successful day.”
In the first game, each team scored twice in the second inning, with the Griffs scoring on a grounder from Connor Burke and single from Cabello. Manhattan took a 4-2 lead in the top of the third on RBI singles from Mark Onorati and Kevin Nieto. The Griffs responded in the bottom of the third on a RBI single from Kevin Reimer.
The Griffs took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Cabello led off with a single and Donato was hit by a pitch. After a wild pitch advanced each runner 90 feet, Ian Choy doubled home both runners with a double to left center.
The Japsers tied it in the seventh on a two-run home run from Dom Lombardi. Canisius responded in the bottom of the inning on a solo homer from Donato. The Griffs pushed their lead to 8-6 in the eighth when Reimer singled with one out and stole second. Onorati missed played the throw in center field and Reimer came all the way around to score.
In the ninth, Nieto reached on an error by Cabello and Chad Salem was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second for Manhattan (20-17-1, 9-5). Lombardi hit into a fielder's choice, putting runners at first and third. Austin Sheffield also hit into a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning and scored Nieto to make it 8-7. After Armenio was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second, Ruben Perez hit a ball into the hole and short. Cabello tried to get the out at second, but threw the ball away and it rolled out of play to score one and put runners at second and third. Ryan McGorman (6-3) then got Ryan Masters to line out to Mailloux for the third out of the inning.
In the ninth, Cabello led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice from Donato. Choy grounded out for the second out of the inning. After an intentional walk to Mailloux, Mahoney singled through the right side, and Cabello scored from second for the walk-off victory.
The Griffs took the early lead in the second game when Donato led off with a homer. Perez tied it in the fifth with a solo homer to left center.
Canisius then scored five times in the fifth, with four of the runs coming with two outs. Cabello led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice from Paul Panik. Donato walked and Choy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mailloux hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Cabello and make it 2-1. Joseph walked to re-load the bases. Mahoney then doubled to right field to score two runs and Brian Gibbs followed with a two-RBI single to make it 6-1.
Davis (8-1) gave up a run in the seventh before finishing his eighth victory of the season. The freshman allowed eight hits and two runs while walking none and striking out three.
Canisius and Manhattan close out the three-game series on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. The Griffs will honor the four members of their senior class prior to the start of the game, with Senior Day activities scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m.
Game Notes: The walkoff win in the opener was the fifth time in 16 conference home games the Griffs won in their last at-bat... McGorman has been a part of the decision or recorded a save in 10 of his last 11 appearances... Cabello batted in the eighth spot in the order in the nightcap, the first time this season in his 37 starts that Cabello didn't bat in the nine spot... Joseph hit in the cleanup spot for the second time this season... Donato hit a homer in back-to-back games for the second time this season as he also accomplished the feat March 25-26, at Delaware State... The intentional walk to Mailloux was the fifth given to a Canisius batter this season... The two wins on Saturday gives Canisius a series victory over Manhattan for the first time since 2001... Sunday's probables are Mike Goemans (4-0, 5.31) vs. Dan Forman (5-3, 4.28).
