No. 3 Canisius – 11 | No. 6 Niagara – 0 (7 innings)
CLOVER STADIUM | POMONA, NY
Box Score
Canisius’ Matt Duffy stifled Niagara bats all game, allowing just three hits to earn his second career complete game victory in as many starts in the MAAC Baseball Championships. The Griffs got out to an early lead in the first after Max Grant tripled home Mike DeStefano. However, the Griffs did most of their damage in the bottom of the sixth, scoring eight runs on six hits in an inning that saw 12 Griffs come to bat. With the victory, Canisius advances to take on No.2 Marist at 3 pm tomorrow afternoon.
Canisius Notes and Notables
- Four Griffs including Grant, DeStefano, Gibson Krzeminski, and Trevor Henneman recorded multi-hit performances.
- DeStefano delivered a bases-clearing triple in the sixth to help break the game open for Canisius.
- Duffy struck out seven in his seven innings of work on 96 pitches.
- Canisius scored 10+ runs for the 18th time this season.
Niagara Notes and Notables
- Benny Serrano was the lone Purple Eagle to record two hits in the contest.
- Niagara used four pitchers including starter Marcus Cashman who went four innings, allowing three runs on five hits.
- The loss forces Niagara to the elimination game at 7 pm against No.5 Monmouth.
No. 5 Rider – 5 | No. 4 Monmouth– 1
CLOVER STADIUM | POMONA, NY
Box Score
Joe Papeo went six scoreless innings for Rider, striking out a season-high nine batters and allowing just two hits for the win. Danny Kirwin came on in relief, throwing the final three innings to earn the save. Rider used a strong third inning to propel them scoring three runs on two hits including Brendan O’Donnell’s RBI single. Rider then gained insurance from Jake Barbiere in the top of the eighth by way of a two-run home run. Rider advances to take on No. 1 Fairfield tomorrow morning at 11 am.
Rider Notes and Notables
- Barbiere’s home run is the fourth of the season.
- John Volpe and Brendan O’Donnell each recorded two hits in the win.
- The win sets up a rematch of the two championship finalists last season.
- The Broncs even the season series against Monmouth.
- Socrates Bardatsos tied the program record for walks in a season (38).
Monmouth Notes and Notables
- Monmouth starter Rob Hensey went eight innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits, while striking out 10 batters in the loss.
- Joey Ventresca hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh for the lone Hawks run of the game.
- Ben Winstead robbed a potential John Volpe home run in the top of eighth.
- Brady Mutz recorded the lone multi-hit performance for the Hawks.
No. 6 Niagara 9 | No. 4 Monmouth 5
CLOVER STADIUM | POMONA, NY
Box Score
Niagara defeated Monmouth, 9-4 behind offensive outburst in the first inning that saw eight Purple Eagles cross the plate. Dawson Bailey got the offense going for Niagara, sending Trey Dombroski’s first pitch of the game over the fence to take a 1-0 lead. Niagara would go on to score seven more runs on six hits including two doubles, a triple, and a home run off the bat of Marcus Spencer. Monmouth would get four runs back in the sixth, but it was not enough to overcome the Purple Eagles’ strong start. Niagara will take on the losest seed loser tomorrow evening at 7 pm.
Niagara Notes and Notables
- Niagara earns their first MAAC Championship win since 2006.
- Jacob Bruning earned the win after going 5+ innings, struck out four, and allowed two earned runs.
- Ben Erwin earned his third save of the season. He went 3.2 innings, struck out six, and allowed one earned run.
- Cole Tucker recorded three hits and Bailey tallied two.
- Matt Ward and Spencer each tallied two RBI.
Monmouth Notes and Notables
- Monmouth finished the season 24-27 and 12-10 in MAAC play.
- Monmouth pitchers Dombroski, Dan Klepchick and Reed Interdonato struck out 16 Purple Eagles hitters.
- Three Hawks recorded multi-hit performances: Dixon Black, James Harmstead, and Joey Ventresca. Black and Ventresca each had two RBI as well.
For more information regarding the 2022 MAAC Baseball Championships and to purchase tickets,
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About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
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