March 28, 2009
Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Marist baseball game won the first game of a doubleheader against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rival Canisius on Saturday, prevailing 2-1 in 11 innings. The Red Foxes won their fifth straight and improved to 11-8 overall and 4-0 in MAAC play with the triumph.
Marist scored the winning run when red-shirt sophomore catcher Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.) grounded out to short with one out and the bases loaded, enabling freshman shortstop Jon Schwind (Hilton, N.Y.) to score from third. Schwind reached by getting hit with a pitch, and then moved into scoring position by stealing second.
The Red Foxes started the scoring in the top of the fourth. Nugent started a two-out rally with a single, and scored on an RBI double to senior right fielder Brian McDonough (Hanover, Mass.).
Meanwhile, senior left-hander Josh Rickards (Glenolden, Pa.) kept the Golden Griffins off the scoreboard for the first seven innings. After giving up a one-out double to pinch-hitter Brian Gibbs in the eighth, Rickards was removed in favor of senior closer Jacob Wiley (Cape Vincent, N.Y.). Wiley gave up a single to pinch-hitter Ian Choy, which allowed pinch-runner Will Chomicki to score and tie the game at one apiece.
Wiley got out of the eighth with the score tied at one. In the ninth, Canisius loaded the bases with one out, but Wiley induced two infield groundouts to send the game to extra innings. He then pitched a scoreless 10th, but when Canisius' Kevin Mailloux singled to start the 11th, Marist summoned junior right-hander Eric Alessio (Nyack, N.Y.) from the bullpen. Alessio held the 2-1 lead to earn his first save of the season.
In his 7.1 innings, Rickards allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out four. Wiley, who pitched 2.2, improved to 3-1 on the season.
Canisius starter Alex MacKenzie allowed just five hits and a walk while striking out five in eight innings. Ryan McGorman, who pitched the last 1.1 innings, took the loss.
