The Canisius College baseball team opened its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with two losses to Marist in a doubleheader at the Demske Sports Complex on Saturday. The Red Foxes won the first game 2-1 in 11 innings and then took the second game 6-5.
Senior Kevin Mahoney led the Golden Griffins with three hits and four RBIs. Mahoney extended his hitting streak to 12 games and hit his team-leading ninth home run on the season. Brian Gibbs reached base in four of his five plate appearances, drawing three walks on the day.
In the first game, Marist got on the board with consecutive two-out hits Bryce Nugent singled through the right side and came around to score on a double by Brian McDonough.
Canisius (11-13, 0-2 MAAC) tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, with the rally getting started on a one-out, pinch-hit double from Gibbs. Pinch hitter Ian Choy singled up the middle to score pinch runner Will Chomicki and make it 1-1.
The Griffs had their best chance to win in the bottom of the ninth, when they loaded the bases with one out. Mahoney singled and Shayne Willson beat out a bunt to put runners at first and second. Brian Burton chopped a ball up the middle and Willson beat the throw at second to load the bases. However, the Griffs couldn't score the winning run as Branson Joseph had a check swing grounder that went to the Marist pitcher Jacob Wiley, who retired Mahoney at the plate. Alec Cabello then grounded out to first to end the inning.
Marist (12-8, 5-0 MAAC) scored the winning run in the 11th, which started when Jon Schwind was hit by a pitch and George Agostini drew a walk off reliever Ryan McGorman (1-3) to put runners at first and second. A sacrifice bunt from Ryan Gauck put the runners at second and third and an intentional walk to Ricky Pacione loaded the bases. Nugent then chopped a ball to short, scoring the winning run.
Canisius starter Alex MacKenzie allowed one run in eight innings while yielding five hits and one walk. Marist starter Josh Rickards allowed one run on three hits in 7.1 innings of work.
In the second game, the Griffs took a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI groundout from Paul Panik. After Marist took the lead in the third inning by scoring two runs, the Griffs scored four straight to take the 5-2 lead. Mahoney hit a two-run homer to right-center in the bottom of the third to make it 3-2 after three innings. Mahoney then had a two-RBI double in the fourth to give Canisius the three-run lead.
Marist tied the game in the fifth, taking advantage of four Canisius wild pitches. Andrew Stanton reached with one out, moved to third on consecutive wild pitches and scored on an RBI groundout from John Prano. Schwind and Kyle Meyer followed with two-out singles, chasing Canisius reliever Aaron Boag. Willson came into the game and Schwind would score on two straight wild pitches while Meyer moved to third and scored on an RBI single from Gauck.
Marist scored the winning run in the sixth when Kenny Anderson was hit by a pitch with one out. Nugent singled to right, sending pinch runner Richard Curylo to third. A single from Prano scored Curylo.
Marist reliever Jake Rifkin (1-2) picked up the win by throwing three scoreless innings of relief. Willson took the loss, allowing one run in 2.1 innings of relief.
Canisius and Marist will complete the three-game series on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
Game Notes: Chomicki made two pinch-running appearances, scoring a run in the first game and getting caught stealing second base in the second game. That was the first time in five pinch-running appearances Chomicki didn't score as a pinch runner... Paul Panik returned to the lineup for the first time since March 17, against Virginia Commonwealth... Willson has been a part of the decision or earned a save in his six appearances on the season... Mahoney had a career-long 13-game hitting streak during the 2007 season.
