NEW ROCHELLE, New York -- After a five game home stand (5-0), the Marist baseball team hits the road for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference series at the Iona Gaels.

The two teams will play a nine and seven inning doubleheader on Saturday (Noon) and a single nine inning game on Sunday (1 p.m.) at City Park Flowers Field.

LAST TIME OUT:

The Red Foxes are currently riding a seven game win streak and are coming off a non-conference doubleheader sweep vs the Binghamton Bearcats on Wednesday at McCann Field. 

SUMMARY GAME 1:

The Bearcats opened the scoring in the top of the first with a one out single and an RBI single that scored the runner from second after he advanced on a ground out for the 1-0 lead.

The Red Foxes answered and tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when junior Frankie Gregoire singled to center with one out. Redshirt junior Chris Tracz followed with a double to left to set up men on second and third and redshirt junior Jordan Roper knocked home Gregoire with an RBI ground out to bring the score to 1-1.

Binghamton had the go ahead run on third with two outs in the top of the seventh and second with two outs in the top of the eighth but sophomore Skyler Pichardo escaped both jams with a strikeout swinging and a fielder's choice respectively.

Marist came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth looking to secure the win. Senior Matt Iantosca singled with two outs and Roper followed with a double down the left field line. After junior Randy Taveras pinch hit and was intentionally walked to load the bases, sophomore Patrick Lightner laced an RBI single down the left field line, giving the Red Foxes the 2-1 walk off win.

SUMMARY GAME 2:

Marist took the early lead in the bottom of the first when Taveras led off with a single and senior Andrew Rouse followed with a double to left center to set up men on second and third with no outs. Redshirt senior Greg Kocinski walked to load the bases and two batters later, Gregoire laced a two RBI double to left center that scored Taveras and Rouse to give the Red Foxes the 2-0 advantage.

The Bearcats answered in the top of the fourth with a one out single and two batters later, reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop. The next batter smacked a two RBI double to left that scored both runs and tied the score at 2-2.

One and a half innings later, Marist regained the lead when Taveras led off with a walk. Two batters later during the at bat, he stole second and after a ground out, redshirt sophomore Tyler Kapuscinski pinged an RBI single to center that scored Taveras. Gregoire and Roper followed with walks to load the bases and sophomore Matt Rubayo followed with a deep fly ball to right that was dropped an allowed all three runs to score and gave the
Red Foxes a 6-2 advantage.

In the top of the sixth, Binghamton loaded the bases with no outs on three straight singles. However, redshirt senior Tyler Dearden escaped the jam unscathed with a strikeout looking and a 6-4-3 double play.

In the top of the seventh, the Bearcats got the first two batters on base with a walk and single but freshman Nick Cantone retired the next three batters with a strikeout looking, a strikeout swinging and a foul out to the third baseman to secure the 6-2 win.

INSIDE THE TURNAROUND:

After starting the season 1-10, the Red Foxes have gone 15-4 in their last 19 games. Here are the numbers inside the turnaround:

• .275 (167-for-607) batting average vs .259 (96-for-371)
• 111 RBI vs 34
• 123 runs scored vs 46 
• 17 home runs vs 6 
• 58 extra base hits vs 25
• 4.18 pitching staff ERA vs 7.77

SCOUTING THE GAELS:

Iona enters the weekend at 8-25 (3-8 MAAC) and are coming off a 9-0 loss vs Yale on Wednesday.

Senior Sean Scales leads the team with a .345 (40-for-116) average, 40 hits, 47 total bases, a .420 on base percentage and is tied for second with 16 runs scored.

Seniors Joe DeRosa and Schuyler Bates have been the Gaels primary starters this season.

DeRosa is 2-5 with a 3.86 ERA and in 56 innings pitched has given up 31 (24 earned) runs on 61 hits with 11 walks, 30 strikeouts and a .274 opponent batting average against.

Bates is 1-6 with a 8.53 ERA and in 38 innings pitched has given up 40 (36 earned) runs on 54 hits with 22 walks, 29 strikeouts and a .342 opponent batting average against. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:

Live stats will be available for all three games and fans can follow @Marist_BSB on Twitter for in game updates.

UP NEXT:

After the series at Iona, the Red Foxes will face off against the Army West Point Black Knights in the 13th Annual Hudson Valley Baseball Classic at Dutchess Stadium on Wednesday (6:35 p.m.). Prior to the start of the game, there will be a free baseball clinic held for boys and girls ages kindergarten through eighth grade beginning at 4:50 p.m. and running until 5:35 p.m. The on-field clinic will be conducted by players and coaches from both Army and Marist. Admission is free but tickets are required to enter. Visit http://goredfoxes.com/index.aspx?path=baseball, click on the more tab on the top right corner of the page and click on "2018 HVBC Free Ticket" in the dropdown menu to print tickets.