Senior Mike DeStefano recorded three hits and drove in four runs over the first four innings as Canisius defeated Rider, 10-2, Friday afternoon in collegiate baseball action from Sonny Pittaro Field in Lawrenceville, N.J.
The Golden Griffins (13-15) improve to 7-0 in conference play with the win, while the Broncs (22-11) slip to 7-3 in the MAAC.
Junior Matt Duffy earned his third win in three starts against MAAC opponents, allowing two runs on three hits in six innings of work. Redshirt sophomore Ethan Hennessy notched his first career save in relief, striking out four batters in three shutout frames.
Dylan Heine suffered his second loss of the season, allowing eight runs on 10 hits as the Griffs chased him with two outs in the fourth inning.
DeStefano connected on his first hit of the contest in the opening frame, sending the 0-1 pitch from Heine into right to score junior Max Grant for the early advantage.
The Griffs made it a 4-0 ballgame in the third highlighted by DeStefano’s two-run double before doubling the score in the next frame.
With a runner on, sophomore Jackson Strong slugged his sixth home run of the season, tying him with graduate Dylan Vincent for the team lead.
Two batters later, senior Kenny Dodson singled home Grant before coming around to score on DeStefano’s second double of the game.
Leading 8-2 in the seventh, redshirt sophomore Josh Niles gave Canisius double digit runs for the fourth time in seven conference matchups with a two-run base knock to seal the win.
Game Notes:
• Canisius opened conference play 7-0 for the first time since the 2014 season when it went 20-4 in league play.
• The Griffs have scored 10-or-more runs in four of the seven conference games this season.
• In four conference appearances this season, Hennessy has tossed 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out nine batters.
• DeStefano recorded his team-leading 13th multi-hit game and ninth multi-RBI contest, adding to his team lead in hits (37) and RBI (33).
• The pitching staff has recorded double-digit strikeouts for the sixth consecutive contest.
• Canisius has had three different pitchers record a save in conference play for the second straight season.
• Five different players recorded multi-hit contests while Dodson, Grant, Strong and redshirt sophomore JT Ennen combined to score all 10 runs.
Up Next:
Canisius continues its series against Rider Saturday with a 12 p.m. contest at the Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J. Tickets for the contest can be found HERE.
For complete coverage of Canisius baseball, please follow @griffsbaseball on Instagram and Twitter.
