May 21, 2004

Box Score

Poughkeepsie, NY - The Marist College baseball team split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) double-header with visiting Iona this afternoon, winning 6-4 in the opener and then dropping the nightcap 3-2 in eight innings. The win sealed a spot in the May 27-29th MAAC Tournament for the Red Foxes, who with the loss in the second game, will be the fourth-seed.

Andy Kiriakedes and Tyler Brock provided the offense in the game one win, both driving in three runs in the outing. Kiriakedes had his come in one swing of the bat as he homered to left field in the fourth inning. Brock had a 2-4 outing in game one, with RBI doubles in the first and seventh innings of play.

George Heath made the start for the Red Foxes and improved to 7-6 on the year with the win. He scattered five hits across his eight plus innings of work, and fanned nine, while walking none. He allowed one run. Travis Timmons earned his second save of the year as he recorded the final two outs in relief of Jonathan Smith.

The second game needed an extra frame, before Iona (21-30; 11-13) managed to rally for the win. Erik Supplee fell to 3-2 as he took the loss for the Red Foxes, allowing the game-winning run in the top of the eighth on a Matt Bruno RBI double.

Marist (24-28; 16-10) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, as Justin Lepore snuck home on the backend of an attempted double steal, in which Kevin Grauer managed to remain in a rundown long enough. Iona tied the score in the third, and Marist took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Jimmy Board scored when Kiriakedes doubled down the left field line. Iona answered again with a run in the top of the sixth.

Marist appeared to have taken a 3-2 in their portion of the sixth, but a rarely seen circumstance ended the threat. With a runner on third and two out, Tyler Brock drilled a ball back towards the mound. The ball caromed in the air and was caught by the shortstop for the out, when the home plate umpire ruled the ball had hit the pitcher's foot, Iona's Brian Parish. Parish earned the win and improved to 3-3 with the win in relief.

Scott Chambers pitched well for the Red Foxes, going 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and fanning seven, and received a no decision. Chris Lopez started for Iona, allowing two runs on four hits and fanning four in his 4.0 innings of work, also in a no decision.

The two teams complete the regular season and the series on Sunday, May 23rd with first pitch slated for noon. Marist will hold a ceremony preceding the game to honor the Senior Class.