POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist baseball team opens play in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships on Thursday afternoon, as the #5 Red Foxes travel to Buffalo, NY for a best-of-three series against the #4 Canisius Golden Griffins. 
 
This season, the top eight teams qualify for the championship, with best-of-three series taking place in the quarterfinal round (which is this weekend). The four quarterfinal winners will advance to a double-elimination format next week, which will be hosted by the highest remaining seed.
 
Marist and Canisius will play a doubleheader on Thursday, with first pitch of game one set for noon. If a game three is necessary, it is currently scheduled for Friday at noon.
 

SCOUTING CANISIUS

• The Red Foxes are 42-32 all-time against Canisius. 
• Marist and the Golden Griffins did not play this year. They were originally scheduled to play regular season games this weekend, but they were canceled when the expanded postseason was announced. 
• The last time these two teams played, Canisius took 2-3 from the Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie two years ago. 
• This season, the Golden Griffins are 17-13 overall, and have a stellar 11-3 record at home. 
• Canisius heads into the postseason after splitting a four game series with Monmouth last weekend. 
• Jake Burlingame has been the best hitter for the Golden Griffins, and was named to the All-MAAC First team after slashing .378/.486/.733 for the season with 7 homers and 25 RBIs. 
• Vinny Chiarenza has also had a stellar season for Canisius, leading he team with eight homers and 29 RBIs leading to All-MAAC First Team recognition. 
• Will Frank is Canisius likely game one starter. He leads starters with 34 IP and a 3.97 ERA on the season. 

 

STAT LEADERS

For a compilation of full season stats, click HERE.

• Representing Marist on the All-MAAC First Team, Tyler Kapuscinski leads the Red Foes on the season with a .509 OBP (Second in the MAAC). This number is so high due large in part to his MAAC-high 13 hit by pitches. 
• Matt Rubayo leads the Red Foxes with seven homers, 38 RBIs, and a .651 slugging percentage, all reasons why he made the All-MAAC Second Team. 
• Brian Hart leads the team with 28 runs scored. 
• Dylan Hoy has a team-high .379 batting average, among qualifiers. 
• Among SP's, Ryan Cardona has the lowest ERA at 2.39 and BAA at .200.
• Skylar Pichardo has the most strikeouts on the team with 29. 
• Erubiel Candelario has the best record among starters, finishing the season at 4-1. 
• Nick Cantone, Zane Kmietek, and Pichardo have one save each to pace the squad. 

 

HOW TO FOLLOW

• Game one Thursday will be streamed via ESPN+, HERE.
• Game two Thursday will be streamed via ESPN+, HERE.
• If a third game is necessary, it will be streamed via ESPN+, HERE.
• Live stats will be provided via Canisius, which you can find HERE. 
• Follow @Marist_BSB on Twitter for live updates.