Feb. 20, 2009

Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Sophomore third baseman Ricky Pacione (Newburgh, N.Y.) belted two home runs, and senior left-hander Josh Rickards (Glenolden, Pa.) pitched six strong innings as the Marist baseball team earned a 7-4 win over Charleston Southern in its season opener on Friday.

Pacione smashed a two-run home run in the fifth inning, and added a solo shot to lead off the seventh. Rickards allowed just two hits and two runs over six innings.

After four scoreless innings were played, the Red Foxes broke it open with a five-run fifth. An RBI single by junior first baseman Ryan Gauck (Clifton Park, N.Y.) plated sophomore center fielder Michael Gallic (Tolland, Conn.) with Marist's first run of the game. Senior left fielder Brian McDonough (Hanover, Mass.) followed with another RBI single, this one scoring senior right fielder Kyle Meyer (East Greenbush, N.Y.). After Gauck scored on a wild pitch, Pacione's homer gave the Red Foxes a 5-0 lead.

Gallic's first home run of his career gave the Red Foxes a 6-1 lead in the sixth, and Pacione's homer in the seventh closed out Marist's scoring.

With Marist leading 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Charleston Southern loaded the bases, but senior right-hander Jacob Wiley (Cape Vincent, N.Y.) got a strikeout to end the game.

Gallic finished his day 3-for-5. Gauck reached base in all five of his plate appearances, finishing with two hits and three walks. Senior designated hitter Kenny Anderson (Randolph, N.J.) and red-shirt sophomore catcher Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.) added two hits apiece.

The win for the Red Foxes' was their first in a season opener since 2003. Marist will try to improve to 2-0 on Saturday, when the Red Foxes take on Charleston Southern in the middle game of the three-game set at 1:30 p.m. Junior righty Richard Cary (6-2, 4.28 ERA in 2008) will get the ball for Marist, and he is scheduled to be opposed by sophomore righty Anthony Markham (4-6, 4.66).