CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Canisius slammed 12 hits, including four doubles and two home runs, to knock off Iona, 13-4 in game one Saturday afternoon at City Park in New Rochelle, N.Y.
Senior Liam Wilson got Canisius on the board in a big way in the top of the first with a solo home run to right field.
The Blue and Gold added another run in the second and two more in the third on a fielder’s choice and RBI singles by redshirt sophomore William Krull and junior Conner Morro to take the 4-0 lead after two and half innings.
The Gaels chipped away in the home half of the third as they plated three runs on a solo shot by senior Seth Hoagland, a sacrifice fly by redshirt senior Tyler Bruno and a RBI single by senior Sean Scales to cut the Griffs lead to 4-3.
A solo home run by Canisius redshirt senior Christ Conley in the fourth and a sacrifice fly by junior Mark McKenna in the fifth, coupled with an Iona fielder’s choice, put the Golden Griffins advantage at 6-4 through five full frames.
That score held until the top of the eighth when Canisius unloaded for seven runs on four hits and one error. The scoring started with a sacrifice fly by Krull, followed by two two-run doubles by Morro and sophomore Jake Burlingame. After senior Cyrus Senior roped a tripled to right center, McKenna doubled to right field scoring the last run of the inning, and of the game, giving the Griffs the 13-4 victory.
Sophomore right-hander Carson Perkins was credited with the win after he relieved Canisius’ starter, seniorCharlie Sobieraski who only lasted 3.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned). Perkins went the next 2.2 innings of action, only allowing one hit while striking out two. Perkins handed the ball off to fellow sophomore Will Frank for the next sixth stanza, who in turn gave way to junior Andrew Kneussle for the final two frames.
Iona sent senior right-hander Joe DeRosa to the hill in game one. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder, put in five innings on the bump, surrendering six runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out four. Four Gaels entered from the bullpen after DeRosa’s exit, combining for seven more runs (zero earned) on five hits.
GAME TWO
The Canisius offense exploded once again as the Golden Griffins pounded out 13 hits all over the field on their way to a 12-3 victory over Iona in game two. The win moves the Griffs to 19-11 on the season and 8-3 in conference play, as the Gaels fall to 8-22 and 3-7 in the MAAC.
The Golden Griffins got the action started again with a solo home run, this time it was off the bat of Stekl in the third inning, giving Canisius the 1-0 advantage.
The Blue and Gold kept their foot on the gas as they produced five more runs in the fourth inning starting with a RBI single by senior Gage Lanning and capped off by a grand slam by Stekl, putting the Griffs up 6-1 after four innings of play.
Canisius’ offense continued in the fifth as they tallied four more runs on RBI singles by McKenna and Stekl and a two-run double by Wilson, pushing the lead to 10-0.
Iona manufactured two scores in the bottom of the frame on a two-run single by Bruno and a RBI single by senior Lou Matarazzo to set the scoreboard at 10-3 in favor of the Griffs.
Canisius added two more scores in sixth for good measure on RBI doubles by junior Canice Ejoh and sophomoreStephen Bennett, ending the scoring at 12-3.
Senior southpaw J.P. Stevenson was masterful on the mound for Canisius earned his sixth win of the season in six strong innings of work, scattering eight hits, allowing three runs and fanning five batters. Freshman right-handerZach Chivers pitched the seventh, facing three batters, striking out one and inducing two ground outs.
Senior righty Schuyler Bates started game two for the Gaels. Bates lasted 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks, picking up the defeat.
GAME NOTES
• With his two hits on Saturday, Wilson has reached base in all 30 games this season and 32 times in his last 33 games dating back to last year. Wilson’s streak also includes an on-going 14 game hitting streak.
• Conley’s on-base streak now stands at 20 straight games with his two hits on Saturday. Conley is also boasting a 12-game hit streak.
• After missing the last few games, Morro returned to the line-up Saturday and continued his 13-game consecutive on-base streak with five hits.
• With his nine at-bats on Saturday, Stekl now has 775 career at-bats, passing Jake Lumely (’17) for third most in program history.
• Stekl recorded four hits on the day, giving home 229 hits in his career, moving him into sixth all-time in school history, passing Branson Joseph (’09).
• Stekl also ties Joesph for third place in program history in career RBI with 156, with six RBI on Saturday.
• Wilson and Conley both reached milestones Saturday recording their 101st and 100th career RBI, respectively.
• With the win in game two, Stevenson now has 24 career victories, moving him into a tie for second place in program history.
• Stevenson’s five strikeouts puts him with 227 for his career, moving him into second place in program history.
UP NEXT
The Griffs finish the three-game series at Iona Sunday. First pitch is now set for 10 a.m.