Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Canisius University Athletics

#Griffs The Official Home of the Canisius University Golden Griffins | #Griffs
Senior Day Photo
Joe Lehrman
6
Winner Niagara NIA 34-15, 19-4 MAAC
3
Canisius CAN 18-27, 11-12 MAAC
Winner
Niagara NIA
34-15, 19-4 MAAC
6
Final
3
Canisius CAN
18-27, 11-12 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Niagara NIA 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 0 0 6 6 3
Canisius CAN 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 5 1

W: Richardson, Noah (6-0) L: Guiliano, Justin (3-5) S: Cameron, Zach (10)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Niagara Grinds Out Win Over Baseball on Senior Day

Home runs from Jake Hutchins and Brady Desjardins gave Niagara enough insurance to defeat Canisius 6-3 Friday in collegiate baseball action at the Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, N.Y. 

Despite the loss, the Golden Griffins (18-27) clinched a MAAC Baseball Championship playoff spot with a 11-12 conference record after Manhattan and Quinnipiac were both defeated. This marks the 17th straight season the Canisius baseball program has clinched a playoff berth. Niagara moves to 19-4 in the MAAC and 34-15 overall.

Today's game also served as Senior Day for nine seniors graduating in tomorrow's commencement. Levi Abbott, Bryan Aduddle, Carlin Dick, JT Ennen, Ethan Hennessy, Justin Guiliano, Josh Niles, Chris Pouliot and Ty Wevers were all recognized prior to the game for their contributions to the baseball program.

Guiliano got the start on the mound for the Griffs on Senior Day and was tasked with navigating the dangerous Niagara lineup. Both starters were dealing early on in the ball game as both teams combined for four hits through the first four innings. 

The Purple Eagles struck in the fifth, putting up five runs to take a commanding lead. They were powered by a two-runs double from Matt Ward and a three-run home run from Desjardins.

The Griffs took a run back in the bottom of the fifth inning as Wevers and junior Howie Stuckey both reached base on throwing errors. After a sac bunt from freshman JC Spinosa to advance the runners, a hard ground ball from junior Jackson Strong drove home Wevers.

Canisius continued to chip away at the lead in the sixth as sophomore Andrew Marcello walked and was driven home by a Niles double that rattled off the left center field fence.

Leading 5-2 in the seventh, Hutchins homered to center field to put the Niagara lead back at four runs.

The Griffs looked to rally in the ninth inning and were able to take one run back with an RBI single from junior Trent Rumley that scored Dick. This was the lone run Canisius could muster in the ninth, taking a 6-3 loss.

Game Notes:
•Dick stole three bases in today's game. He last achieved this feat on April 6, 2024 at Fairfield. Dick has stolen a career high 20 bases this year. His previous high was four
•The Griffs improved their historic stolen base total to 120 on the season after four swiped bags in today's game. This ranks tied for third all-time in MAAC history. The 1997 Siena team holds the top spot with 141
•Strong has scored 52 runs this season. This is the highest total for a Canisius player since 2022 when Max Grant and Mike DeStefano scored 56 and 60, respectively
•Guiliano has recorded a career low opponent batting average (.245) while also pitching a career high in innings pitched (56.2)
•The Canisius playoff berth streak began in 2007. The Griffs have won at least two playoff games in 11 postseason appearances during that period

Up Next:
The Canisius Baseball team will finalize their regular season tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the series finale against Niagara.
Print Friendly Version