POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist baseball team was swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader against Canisius on Sunday at McCann Baseball Field. The Red Foxes lost the seven-inning game one by a score of 8-1, and dropped a 7-3 decision in the nine-inning second game, which enabled the Golden Griffins to take all three games of the weekend series.

On the day, Marist was led offensively by senior right fielder Pat Welsh (Millersville, Pa.), who went 3-for-6 with a double, triple and two runs scored, and freshman designated hitter Tyler Kirkpatrick (Eagleville, Pa.), who went 3-for-7 with two RBIs.

Game One

Canisius prevailed behind a complete game three-hitter from Alex Godzak (6-3), who struck out five and walked two. The Golden Griffins scored two runs apiece in the first, third, sixth and seventh innings.

Marist scored its lone run in the third. Welsh led off with a triple to the gap in left-center. With one out, senior shortstop Nick McQuail (Wantagh, N.Y.) drove the ball down the left-field line for an apparent double to bring home Welsh. However, McQuail was called out after a Canisius appeal play, in which it was ruled that McQuail did not touch first base.

Freshman right-hander Scott Boches (Feasterville, Pa.) took the loss and fell to 3-3. Canisius received two hits and two RBIs apiece from outfielders Brett Siddall and Ryan Coppinger.

Game Two

Marist scored first in the first. McQuail singled with one out, and scored from second on a ground ball single to left by Kirkpatrick. However, Canisius took the lead for good with three runs in the top of the second. The Golden Griffins added a run in the fourth, two in the sixth and one in the eighth.

In the sixth, McQuail was hit by a pitch with one out. He then scored from second on an RBI single by Kirkpatrick. Marist scored its final run in the eighth, when Welsh led off the inning with a double deep to left. McQuail then advanced him to third with a groundout, and he came home on an RBI groundout by junior first baseman Steve Laurino (Carle Place, N.Y.).

Junior left-hander Rich Vrana (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) took the loss and fell to 1-7. Canisius starter Devon Stewart, who went seven innings, earned the win and improved to 4-5. Siddall again paced the Golden Griffins offensively by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Canisius improved to 28-14 overall and 11-4 in the MAAC; Marist is now 12-28 overall and 5-10 in the MAAC.

The Red Foxes will return to action on Wednesday, when they host Hofstra in a non-conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.