DOVER, Delaware - Marist baseball (3-3) looks to follow up a successful weekend with a three-game series at Delaware State (2-3) beginning Friday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. The Red Foxes and Hornets will play once a day on Friday, Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m).
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- Marist swept the series at Presbyterian by decisions of 9-4, 14-10 and 7-5.
- Gene Napolitano recorded seven RBI, a home run and five hits in 13 at-bats for the weekend.
- The Blue Hose had a chance to take the last game with loaded bases and only one out in the eighth, but Conor McNamara entered the game and made the save to prevent the comeback.
- After two weekends of play, sophomore Nick Cantone is batting .462 with two RBI and six hits in 13 at-bats. The outfielder has an on base percentage of .533.
- Senior Randy Taveras has earned three RBI and nine hits in 24 appearances for an average of .375. On top fo that, he is 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts to rank ninth all-time in Marist history.
McNamara made the save in the last game at Presbyterian to complete the series sweep. The Blue Hose had come back from 7-0 to reach within two runs and had momentum to keep closing the gap, but the team brought in the junior right-hander to stop Presbyterian in their tracks.
"This change has been a difference for me considering I have never been in a late-inning game role. The mindset never changes for me, though" stated McNamara. "The biggest thing is maintaining composure in high-pressure situations and being able to pound the strike zone. The goal always is to throw strikes because if you do that, you'll be successful the majority of the time."
Last season, the Scarsdale-native made 12 starts in 14 appearances, recording 39 strikeouts in 64.2 innings pitched. He held batters to a .296 batting average, and had not recorded a save to this point in his career.
"Conor is a guy our staff and our team trusts, so when we look to the back end of games and things are tight, having him there is great" lauded Head Coach Christ Tracz. "He wants to compete and help the team win, and his selflessness to take on his current role has been invaluable. His versatility to start and close will be seen throughout the year."
- Delaware State is off to a 2-3 start this season, winning one out of three at The Citadel and splitting a doubleheader at North Carolina Central last Sunday.
- The Hornet pitchers have held opponents to a .240 batting average. DSU hurlers have a combined earned run average of 4.28, while striking out 37 and walking 18 in 40 innings pitched.
- Lefty starter Garrett Lawson (jr.) has shined in the early going, collecting both wins (2-0) and posting a 0.77 ERA in two starts. Lawson has allowed just six hits, while striking out 14 and walking five in 11.2 innings of work.
- The Hornets are hitting .192 as a team, with 29 hits in 151 at bats. DSU has just four extra hits and is homerless in the first five games.
"This weekend is a great opportunity to play in an environment very similar to our conference weekend in terms of weather and travel, and we'll see how the team responds" commented Coach Tracz. "Our energy and focus on the details for 27 innings will tell us a lot about where we're at. We have shown toughness and great attitude in adverse circumstances, and we need to continue to do so this weekend as we all grow together."
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Marist baseball continues their road trip to face their toughest opponent yet, #11 East Carolina. The series takes place over March 8-10 in Greenville, NC.
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