AP Sports Preview: Siena at Canisius

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Siena Saints visit the Canisius Golden Griffins on Wednesday afternoon at Demske Sports Complex in the opener of a three-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference series. First pitch is scheduled under cloudy skies with temperatures near 60 degrees.

Siena (20-26) enters on a high note after an 8-1 victory over Iona on Sunday. Pitcher Gio Conte earned the win, allowing one earned run over five innings with five strikeouts. Conte has been dominant in his last four starts, allowing just two earned runs over 21 innings with 22 strikeouts. The Saints have won seven of their last 10 games, including a sweep of Saint Peter’s last weekend. However, they dropped two of three to Iona in the previous series, including a 9-1 loss before rallying for a 12-11 win in the doubleheader nightcap. Catcher Aidan Paradine also starred Sunday, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

Canisius (18-24) dropped its most recent game 10-5 to Sacred Heart on Sunday. Center fielder Owen Silliman went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in that loss. Silliman has been productive recently, homering in two of his last three games and recording three multi-hit contests this month. The Golden Griffins had won four of their previous six, including a series victory at Iona and a 24-11 rout of Le Moyne. Their bullpen showed depth Sunday with Trent Rudge and Weston Elkovitch combining for two scoreless innings.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected score is Siena 7, Canisius 6. The series continues Thursday and Friday at the same venue.

This early-week set is critical for both teams as they jockey for MAAC tournament positioning. Siena’s Conte will look to extend his winning streak, while Canisius aims to leverage home-field advantage. The Golden Griffins will need to contain a Siena lineup that has produced double-digit runs in five of its last seven wins. For Canisius, Silliman’s recent power surge provides a key offensive threat against a Saints pitching staff that has allowed four runs or fewer in four of its last five victories.