POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Red Foxes split a non-conference doubleheader vs. the Binghamton Bearcats on Wednesday, losing the first game 15-7 before winning the second 6-1. Marist now stands at 17-16 (8-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) while Binghamton stands at 15-19 (10-2 America East).

Frankie Gregoire led the Red Foxes on the afternoon going a combined 3-for-6 with a home run, two runs scored and five RBI. Anthony Lazar chipped in a 3-for-7 effort with a homer, two runs scored and two RBI and co-captains Graham McIntire and Joey Aiola batted 3-for-7 with two runs scored and an RBI and 2-for-5 with three runs scored respectively.

In Game 1, Zachary Racusin picked up a hit and two RBI and Matt Iantosca and John Brucker got a hit as well.

Game 2 saw Racusin and Brucker get a hit and one RBI each.

Spencer Bunting got the start and loss in Game 1, throwing one inning while giving up five runs (three earned) on two hits while walking three and striking out 2. Thomas Henderson pitched one and two thirds innings, giving up four runs on three hits with three walks, Michael Hunter threw three and two thirds innings while giving up five runs on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts and Tyler Poulin pitched two thirds of an inning and gave up one run on one hit with two strikeouts.

Kevin Stewart picked up the start and win in Game 2, throwing five innings while giving up one run on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Scott Boches threw one inning and gave up no runs on one hit and Ryan Thomas pitched one inning, giving up no runs on no hits with one strikeout.

GAME 1:

The Bearcats struck first in the top of the first inning. CJ Krowiak led off with a walk and advanced to third on a throwing error by the pitcher when a pick off attempt got away. David Schanz reached and advanced to second on an error by the third baseman in the next at bat that scored Krowiak and advanced to third on a wild pitch during the following at bat. Two batters later, Brendan Skidmore hit a sac fly to center field, scoring Schanz and Binghamton was ahead 2-0.

The Red Foxes answered back in the bottom of the first when McIntire singled up the middle with one out. Aiola walked and Gregoire singled to third base loading the bases. Racsuin followed with a two RBI single to right field that scored McIntire and Aiola and the game was tied 2-2.  During the next at bat, Racusin stole second and Gregoire stole home on the throw to second and the Red Foxes led 3-2.

Continuing the offensive trend of the game, the Bearcats scored in the top of the second.  Pat Britt led off with a hit by pitch and Paul Rufo followed with a double to left field, setting up men on second and third. Chris McGee tripled to right center, scoring Britt and Rufo and Binghamton regained the lead 4-3. After a pitching change by Marist, Krowiak hit a sac fly to center field that scored McGee and the lead was 5-3.

The Bearcats made it three consecutive innings with a run in the top of the third when Jason Agresti walked with one out. Two batters later, Rufo and McGee walked to load the bases and Krowiak singled on a bunt that scored Agresti. Schanz followed with a double down the left field line that cleared the bases and Binghamton led 9-3.

The Red Foxes got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when with one out, Lazar jacked the first home run of his career to left field and the score was 9-4 Bearcats.

Marist trimmed the deficit even more in the bottom of the fifth. Aiola singled to right field with one out and Gregoire followed with a homer to right field, his fifth of the year, trimming the deficit to 9-6.

In the top of the seventh, Binghamton blew the game open with six runs in the inning. Rufo singled to the shortstop with one out and stole second during the next at bat. McGee walked and Krowiak singled to third base to load the bases. Schanz was hit by a pitch, scoring Rufo and Reed Gamache singled, scoring Krowiak and McGee and it was 12-6 Bearcats. After a Red Fox pitching change, Skidmore hit a three run homer to left field and the score was 15-6 Binghamton.

Marist was not going to go down quietly though and in their last at bat of the game, Matt Belitz pinch hit for Aiola and walked to lead off. Two batters later, Racusin was hit by a pitch and Iantosca singled through the left side to load the bases. Lazar followed with an RBI single through the left side, trimming the deficit to 15-7. That was all they could manage however, as the inning ended in the next at bat with a double play to give the Bearcats the 15-7 win.

GAME 2:

The Red Foxes got on the board first in the top of the inning. Rouse walked to lead off and two batters later, advanced to second on a baulk. After a pop up to the shortstop, Rouse advanced to third on a wild pitch and Racusin singled to third base, scoring Rouse and Marist was ahead 1-0.

The Bearcats threatened in the top of the second when Matt Tsukroff singled to right to lead off and advanced to second on a wild pitch during the next at bat. Two batters later, Nick Wegmann reached on a throwing error by the shortstop with one out, advancing Tsukroff to third and Darrian Herncane walked to load the bases. However, Stewart bore down and got the next two batters to strike out swinging and looking to get out of the inning unscathed.

In the bottom of the second, the Red Foxes scored five more runs when Lazar doubled to center field to lead off. Brucker followed with a single to center and advanced to second on the throw home to set up men on second and third. Lazar scored on a wild pitch and Brucker advanced to third and two batters later, Rouse reached on a hit by pitch. McIntire followed with a bunt single that scored Brucker and the lead was 3-0. After a Binghamton pitching change, Aiola made it two straight bunt singles to load the bases and Gregoire doubled down the left field line, clearing the bases and putting Marist ahead 6-0.

In the top of the fifth, the Bearcats got on the board. Sean Trenholm led off with a doubled to left center and Daniel Franchi singled through the right side to set up men on first and third. Henry Pellicciotti reached on a fielder's choice that scored Trenholm with Franchi out at second and the score was 6-1 Red Foxes.

That proved to be all the offense for the game as Thomas pitched a perfect 1-2-3 top of the seventh to secure the 6-1 Marist win.

Coming up, the Red Foxes will square off against Monmouth in a MAAC series with a doubleheader vs. the Hawks on Saturday. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 12 PM.