POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist baseball team was swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader by Siena on Saturday at McCann Baseball Field. The Red Foxes dropped the first game 1-0 in 11 innings, and the Saints scored twice in the top of the seventh to earn a 4-3 comeback victory in game two.
In game one, Marist red-shirt senior left-hander Chad Gallagher (Southboro, Mass.) pitched 9.1 scoreless innings. Gallagher allowed only six hits and three walks while striking out three. He threw just 97 pitches in his outing. He retired the first nine batters he faced, and allowed only runner to reach third base.
Siena loaded the bases in the top of the 11th, and with one out, second baseman Vinny Citro singled through the left side to bring home designated hitter Larry Balkwill with what would be the game's only run.
Marist loaded the bases in both the seventh and eighth innings, and had a runner in scoring position in the 11th, but was unable to push any runs across. Sophomore third baseman Nick McQuail (Wantagh, N.Y.) had three of the Red Foxes' first six hits.
Senior right-hander Jake Rifkin (West Deptford, N.J.), who worked the final 1.2 innings, took the loss to fall to 1-1. Siena's Neil Fryer, who worked the final 3.2 innings and worked out of a bases loaded, one-out jam in the eighth, earned the win to improve to 2-1. Siena starter Ryan Poplawski went 6.2 innings and allowed six hits while striking out and walking one apiece.
In game two, Marist scored first with two runs in the bottom of the second. Sophomore designated hitter Pat Welsh (Millersville, Pa.) had a bunt single which brought home McQuail, who had started the inning with a walk. Sophomore right fielder Jake Berry (South Hamilton, Mass.) followed with an RBI groundout to bring home freshman catcher Mark Swertfager (Katonah, N.Y.), who had reached on a walk.
Siena cut Marist's lead to 2-1 in the third, but Marist expanded it to 3-1 in the fifth on an RBI double by junior first baseman Mike Orefice (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), which plated Berry.
Siena scored once in the sixth to cut its deficit to one again, but freshman right-hander Brandon Dolan (Franklin Park, N.J.) limited the damage as he entered with the bases loaded and one out, and allowed just one inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the seventh and final inning, Siena rallied after having two outs and no one bases. The Saints drew three consecutive walks, and then first baseman Ken Kirshner laced a two-run single to center to put his team up for good.
Siena's Ed Lewicki (2-0) allowed just one unearned run in 4.2 innings of relief to earn the win, and Fryer pitched a scoreless seventh for his fourth save. Marist freshman left-hander Rich Vrana (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) took the loss and is now 0-2. Marist starter Brett Houseal (Landisville, Pa.) went the first 5.1 innings, and allowed just two hits and two runs. Houseal retired the first eight Siena hitters.
Marist is now 10-19 overall and 4-6 in the MAAC; Siena is 10-23 overall and 4-4 in the MAAC.
Marist and Siena will close out their three-game series on Sunday. First pitch at McCann Baseball Field is set for noon.
