Marist Red Foxes Baseball Split Doubleheader

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist baseball team split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader with Saint Peter’s on Saturday at McCann Field. The Red Foxes won 9-2 in the seven-inning first game, but suffered a 3-1 defeat in the nine-inning second game.

Here is a closer look at both contests:

Game One – Marist 9, Saint Peter’s 2
Marist got on the board in its first at-bat on an infield error, but Saint Peter’s rebounded with two runs in its half of the second. However, the Red Foxes answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Senior center fielder Graham McIntire and freshman second baseman Anthony Lazar had a two-run single and a two-run homer back-to-back with two outs.

The Red Foxes added to their lead with two runs apiece in the fourth and fifth. In the fourth, senior third baseman John Brucker had an RBI single, which was immediately followed by McIntire’s RBI double. One inning later, sophomore catcher Matt Iantosca hit a two-run double down the left-field line.

Sophomore left-hander Charlie Jerla (6-4) pitched his second complete game of the season to earn the victory. Jerla scattered nine hits, struck out five, and walked just two. Offensively, the Red Foxes had 11 hits, six of which went for extra bases. McIntire, Lazar, freshman left fielder Frankie Gregoire, and red-shirt junior right fielder Zachary Racusin had two hits apiece. McIntire had three RBIs, while Lazar and Iantosca drove in two apiece. Racusin and Lazar scored two runs apiece.

For Saint Peter’s, designated hitter James Spadaccini and center fielder Nick Cardamone had two hits apiece. Starter Willie Krajnik (0-7), who went the first 3.1 innings, took the loss.

Game Two – Saint Peter’s 3, Marist 1
A pitchers’ duel between Anthony Assante of Saint Peter’s and Marist sophomore left-hander Mike Coss resulted in a scoreless tie through six innings. With two outs in the top of the seventh, an RBI single by third baseman Tommy Toole brought home Spadaccini with the game’s first run. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore shortstop Andrew Rouse laid a bunt down the third-base line that brought home Iantosca from third with the game’s tying run.

However, Saint Peter’s fought back with the game’s final two runs in the top of the eighth on back-to-back RBI singles by second baseman Rob Moore and Spadaccini (on a bunt).

Coss (0-4) took the loss. In 7.2 innings, Coss struck out seven and walked just one. He threw 67 of his 99 pitches for strikes. Red-shirt sophomore right-hander Scott Boches pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, and needed just 13 pitches to get four outs. Assante (2-6) pitched a complete game for Saint Peter’s. He allowed nine hits and one walk, and struck out four.

Offensively, Gregoire went 3-for-4, and Racusin went 2-for-4 for Marist. Spaddacini went 3-for-3, while Moore and shortstop Jon Kristoffersen each had two hits for the Peacocks.

Marist is now 19-21 overall, and 10-8 in MAAC play. Saint Peter’s is 8-32 overall and 3-12 in the MAAC.

Marist returns to action on Friday, May 6, when the Red Foxes open a three-game non-conference series with Wagner. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.