BUFFALO, NEW YORK – The Marist baseball team (14-23-1, 8-10 MAAC) fell in the final game of the series at Canisius (24-25, 12-6 MAAC) 16-11 on Sunday evening.

Senior first basemen Steve Laurino (Carle Place, New York) had a huge day going 5-for-6 with five RBIs and four runs scored. Sophomore left fielder Tyler Kirkpatrick (Eagleville, Pennsylvania) had two RBIs and two runs scored on 2-for-5. Junior designated hitter Matt Pagano (Cranston, Rhode Island) was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored, while senior catcher Mark Swertfager (Katonah, New York) was 3-for-4 with one RBI.

The Red Foxes got things going early scoring four runs in the first inning. Laurino hit a RBI single to right field, Kirkpatrick hit an two-run RBI single up the middle, and junior second basemen Joey Aiola (Suffern, New York) hit a sacrifice fly giving the Red Foxes a 4-0 lead. Canisius scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning to make it 4-2. Marist added two more runs in the second inning regaining a four run lead when Laurino hit a two-run homer to center field.

The Red Foxes added to their lead in the fourth inning scoring three more runs. Pagano hit a two-run RBI double to left center, and Swertfager hit a RBI single up the middle making the score 9-2. The Golden Griffins scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth, and five runs in the fifth to take an 11-9 lead. Marist remained without a run until the ninth inning, while Canisius scored four runs in the seventh, and another run in the eighth holding a commanding 16-9 lead heading into the ninth. In the ninth, Laurino hit another two-run homerun to center field ending the scoring for the Red Foxes.

Zachary Sloan (3-1), who pitched 1.2 innings, picked up the win for the Golden Griffins. Sloan gave up four hits and zero earned runs. Sophomore right-hander Stephen Priolo (Voorhees, New Jersey) pitched 0.1 innings picking up the loss for Marist. Priolo gave up two earned runs with no strikeouts. Senior left-hander Rich Vrana (Lindenhurst, New York) started the game for the Red Foxes, gave up 10 hits and eight earned runs with five strikeouts.

The Red Foxes return to action on Wednesday, May 6 for a single game at home against St. John's. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.