May 27, 2005
Box Score
FISHKILL, NY -Junior shortstop Andy Kiriakedes went 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead top-seeded Marist (31-19) to a 3-2 victory over Niagara University (23-27) in game two of the 2005 Anaconda Sports MAAC Baseball Championship at Dutchess Stadium.
Marist's Robert Ryan, the MAAC Reliever of the Year, came on in the ninth inning to claim the win and improved to 2-0 with the victory, while Niagara's James Avery dropped his record to 5-5 on the mound. Avery went the distance for the Purple Eagles, allowing two earned runs on four hits, while striking out 10 and walking three.
Marist starter Chris Tracz went 8.2 innings and yielded two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
Third baseman Andrew MacNevin and catcher Mike Medici led Niagara at the plate with two hits each.
Marist got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning as third baseman Pat Feeney doubled to left field, and then Kiriakedes singled to right field, bringing home Feeney. Niagara then tied the game in the top of the sixth as MacNevin crossed home plate when designated hitter Reed Eastley reached first base on an error.
The Red Foxes got on the scoreboard again in the bottom of the eighth with Kiriakedes registering an RBI double to right center field to bring in center fielder Travis Musolf. The Purple Eagles, however, tied the game again in the ninth as center fielder Jeff Vincent doubled to right field to allow first baseman Paul Solini to score.
Finally, in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out, Marist's Thomas Ciccarone advanced to home plate as Niagara third baseman MacNevin was called for interference on a failed suicide squeeze bunt attempt by the Red Foxes.
Niagara will play Manhattan in Game 3 on Friday, May 27, at 11:00 a.m. Game four between Marist and Siena is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
