NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. -- The Marist baseball team dropped its series finale to Niagara on Sunday, falling by a score of 7-2. With the loss, the Red Foxes (19-25 overall, 8-13 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) have been eliminated from MAAC Tournament contention.
The Red Foxes scratched out just five hits in the contest and committed four errors, leading to five unearned runs. Starter B.J. Martin (Manalapan, N.J.) was charged with all of Niagara's runs in 4.2 innings of work, falling to 1-4 on the season. Martin did strike out six Purple Eagles. Freshman right-hander Kyle Putnam (New Windsor, N.Y.) relieved Martin and tossed 3.1 scoreless innings.
Marist scored both of its runs in the top of the fifth, cutting Niagara's lead to 3-2. The Red Foxes loaded the bases with no outs, and freshman right fielder Michael Gallic (Tolland, Conn.) hit into a fielder's choice which scored red-shirt freshman catcher Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.), who led off the inning with a single. Junior left fielder Brian McDonough (Hanover, Mass.) followed with a sacrifice fly, which brought in freshman second baseman Ricky Pacione (Newburgh, N.Y.). However, the Purple Eagles answered with four runs in their half of the fifth, aided by two Marist errors and a wild pitch.
Marcus Spaulding got the victory for Niagara, improving to 6-2. Spaulding allowed just five hits and a walk in 7.2 innings, striking out four. Shortstop Andrew Macdonald went 5-for-5 with four RBIs, belting two doubles. The Purple Eagles improved to 21-25 overall and 9-12 in the MAAC.
The Red Foxes will return home for their final four games of the season. Marist will host James Madison in a non-conference contest on Wednesday at McCann Baseball Field at 3 p.m., followed by a three-game series against conference foe Siena. The Red Foxes and Saints will play a doubleheader starting at noon on Thursday, followed by a single game on Friday at noon. Prior to Friday's game, Marist will have a Senior Day ceremony to honor pitcher Tom Close (Devon, Pa.) and catcher Keith Glasser (Rensselaer, N.Y.).
