POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Red Foxes jumped over .500 for the first time this season and picked up its sixth straight victory at McCann Field, with a 12-1 win over the Niagara University Purple Eagles on Friday. With the win, Marist stands at 13-12 (5-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), while the loss drops Niagara to 9-19 (5-2 MAAC).

The series was originally scheduled to be played at Niagara, however, due to weather was moved to Marist with the Purple Eagles still serving as the designated home team.

Frankie Gregoire led the Red Foxes going 3-for-3 with a home run (his third of the year), four runs batted in and two runs scored. Andrew Rouse chipped in with a 1-for-4 effort with three RBI and one run scored, Matt Iantosca went 1-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, Anthony Lazar chipped in a 2-for-4 effort with one RBI and one run scored, and senior co-captain Joey Aiola went 1-for-4 effort with one RBI and two runs scored. Tyler Kirkpatrick picked two hits and one run scored, John Brucker picked up one hit and one run scored and Zachary Racusin finished with one hit and two runs scored.

Sean Keenan picked up his fourth win of the year, throwing eight innings while giving up one run on five hits to go along with four walks and six strikeouts. Michael Hunter pitched a perfect ninth, giving up no runs and no hits.

Michael Furman led Niagara, going 2-for-4 on the afternoon.

The Red Foxes opened the scoring early, in the top of the first inning. Rouse led off with a walk and two batters later, Kirkpatrick doubled to left field, setting up men on second and third with one out. Aiola followed with a single to the shortstop, scoring Rouse and advancing Kirkpatrick to third. During the next at bat, Aiola stole second and Racusin walked to load the bases. Gregoire singled through the left side, scoring Kirkpatrick and the bases were loaded again with Marist ahead 2-0. Iantosca continued the offense with a single to left that scored both Racusin and Aiola to give the Red Foxes the 4-0 lead. During the next at bat, Iantosca stole second, Gregoire stole home and Iantosca advanced to third on a throwing error by the second baseman. Lazar followed with a sac fly and Marist was ahead 6-0.

Two innings later, the Red Foxes added to their lead when Gregoire jacked a bomb to left field for his third homer of the season. Iantosca followed with a walk, Lazar singled through the left side and the Purple Eagles made a pitching change. Brucker walked to load the bases and Rouse followed with a double over the center fielder's head that cleared the bases for the 10-0 advantage.

In the top of the fourth, Kirkpatrick led off with a single and Aiola reached on a fielder's choice. Racusin singled through the right side advancing Aiola to third and stole second during the next at bat. Gregoire picked up his third consecutive hit, a single to left field that scored Aiola and Racusin and Marist was ahead 12-0.

Niagara got on the board in the bottom of the fifth Geoff Seto led off with a single up the middle and Christian Vangeison singled to right, setting up men on first and third. Keenan struck out the next batter but Julian Gallup walked and Tanner Kirwer hit a sac fly to left field, scoring Seto and the score was 12-1 in favor of the Red Foxes.

With the 12-1 lead in hand, Hunter came in for the bottom of the ninth and punched out the Purple Eagles 1-2-3 with a strikeout, ground out to the second baseman and a pop out to the shortstop for the victory.

Up next, Marist will finish the three game series with a seven inning and nine inning double header on Sunday. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 12 PM, with Game 2 beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.