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LOUDONVILLE — After falling 8-3 in the opening game against Siena, the Canisius baseball team fought to a 4-2 victory in game two, to play to earn a split with the host Saints Friday afternoon. With the split Canisius improved to 19-14 and 3-5 in the MAAC, while Siena improved to 12-17 overall and 5-3 in conference action.
Game #1: Siena, 8 – Canisius, 3
Despite the Griffs taking a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning, Siena powered through a five hit, six run rally in the bottom of the fifth frame to take the first game 8-3, of the weekend series.
Andrew Kneussle started the game for Canisius, and worked four innings, allowed five hits, three runs (two earned) and fanned a pair in the no-decision.
Zachary Sloan came on in relief and worked the final four frames, and allowed seven hits and five runs (none earned) and walked four, as he was credited with the loss. Sloan dropped to 2-2 on the season.
Tommy Miller worked eight innings, and scattered seven hits and three runs and struck out seven Griffs as he improved to 4-2.
Dan Swain and Brian Kelly combined for five RBI during the game, while Joe Drpich rapped out four hits in five at bats for the Saints.
Liam Wilson led the way for Canisius’ offense, recording a pair of hits in four at bats, while Gage Lanning, Tim Kensinger and Stephen Bennett all recorded an RBI each.
Game #2: Canisius, 4 – Siena, 2
In game two, the Blue and Gold recorded a pair of late runs in the fourth and seventh innings, to edge the Saints, 4-2 in the seven-inning contest.
J.P. Stevenson got the start for Canisius, and improved to 5-3 as he worked 5.1 innings, allowed seven hits, but just two runs, and fanned a pair.
Closer Tyler Smith came on midway through the sixth inning and fanned all five batters he faced, working 1.2 perfect frames, as he recorded his sixth save of the year.
William Krull broke through for the Griffs in the fourth with the game tied 2-2, smacking a RBI single to centerfield and during in Lanning, to make it 3-2. The Griffs added another insurance run in sixth, as Wilson drove in a sacrifice fly RBI as Brandon Nicholson scored.
Wilson was the big producer in the game as he drilled a two-run homerun earlier in the contest to put Canisius on the board, and added the insurance RBI in the sixth to finish the day with one hit and three RBI for the Blue and Gold.
Brett Migliore led the team in hits as he recorded a pair of knocks, in two at-bats along with a walk.
Canisius wraps up its road series against the Saints on Saturday, looking to win its second MAAC series of the season, as the Saints and Griffs matchup at noon tomorrow. The team will be back at home on Tuesday to face Buffalo at the Demske Sports Complex, followed by a road game at Cornell, before hosting Rider for a weekend matchup next Saturday and Sunday.