May 17, 2007
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.-The Marist baseball team earned a split at Siena Thursday at Siena Field. Marist won the first game by a 9-6 tally on the strength of 12 hits, while the Saints rallied for a 2-1 win in the second game behind the strong pitching of Andy Wells and James Pacifico. Marist is now 19-30 overall and 13-12 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while Siena is 12-32 overall and 10-12 in the league.
The Red Foxes, who eliminated Siena from MAAC Tourney contention with the victory, can qualify for next week's conference tournament with (1) a win at Siena on Friday OR (2) a Canisius loss to Niagara on Friday OR (3) Saint Peter's losing all three games to Manhattan on Saturday and Sunday. Tourney action begins Thursday at Duchess Stadium in Fishkill at 3 p.m.
After three scoreless innings in the opener, Marist built a 9-1 lead with five runs in the fourth inning and four in the sixth. Brian McDonough (Hanover, Mass.) and Travis Musolf (Manchester, N.J.) each drove in a pair of runs with hits in the fourth, a rally that chased Siena ace Craig Chaput from the game.
Musolf's three-run home run highlighted the five run outburst in the fifth. He finished with three hits and five RBIs. Josh Rickards (5-4, Glenolden, Pa.) picked up the win, allowing seven hits and three runs with five strikeouts and two walks in five and two-thirds innings. Mike Puckli earned his first save in a Marist uniform, holding the Saints to just two hits and one earned run with one strikeout and one walk in three and a third innings.
Siena fought gamely, scoring in four of its final at bats, but fell short. Chris Klepps finished with three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Six of his teammates finished 1-for-4 - four had RBIs.
The Saints got a strong performance from spot starter Andy Wells in the night cap. Wells was filling in for regular game two starter Matt Moberg who missed the game due to illness. The sophomore right hander went five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out three. After walking the leadoff man in the sixth, seniors closer James Pacifico came on to close the game with two perfect innings.
After McDonough put Marist up 1-0 in the second with an RBI double, the Saints manufactured a run in the bottom of the inning. Moises Rivera led off the frame with a single and catcher Phil Cahill followed with a well placed bunt single. After Eric Mruczek advanced the pair with a sacrifice bunt, Drew Sgro drove home the equalizer with a fly ball to left field.
Jake Willis led off the third with a solo home run off the left field foul pole, providing what proved to be the game-winning run.
Erik Supplee (Williamsburg, Va.) suffered the hard-luck loss for Marist, pitching a complete game six-hitter with no walks and four strikeouts. Willis was the only player for either team to manage a multi-hit game.
