Siena at Canisius
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — Thomas Zwirecki drove in five runs with a double and a grand slam, and Canisius breezed past Siena 10-0 on Friday afternoon at Demske Sports Complex.
The Golden Griffins won their third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game against the Saints, improving to 21-24 overall and extending Siena’s losing streak in the series. The Saints fell to 20-29.
Canisius broke the game open in the bottom of the second inning. After Eric Weeks reached on a hit by pitch and advanced to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch, Blake Herman doubled to center field for the game’s first run. Andrew Marcello singled, and Owen Silliman singled through the pitcher’s box for an RBI, scoring Herman. A hit by pitch loaded the bases, and Bennett Cox was plunked to force in another run.
With two outs and the bases still loaded, Zwirecki deposited a 1-0 pitch over the center-field fence for a grand slam, clearing the bases and giving Canisius a 7-0 lead. It was the second home run of the series for Zwirecki, who went 2 for 4 on the day.
Zwirecki added an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, scoring Ronan Glassford for the game’s final run.
The Griffins added a run in the third when Herman led off with a solo home run to left field, his second homer of the series. Herman finished 2 for 2 with two RBIs and also drew a hit by pitch. Siena never mounted a serious threat, managing only five hits and leaving 10 runners on base.
Canisius starter Noah Albano worked 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits while striking out five and walking none. He was followed by four relievers who combined to throw 4 1/3 shutout innings. Brian Smith, Weston Elkovitch, Sam Staerker and Evan Saulys each contributed scoreless outings, with Staerker striking out the side in the seventh.
Siena’s offense struggled to capitalize on scoring chances. In the second inning, the Saints loaded the bases with one out on three walks, but third baseman Gavin Thorburn grounded into a fielder’s choice that forced Louis Percival out at home plate, and Nick Bergamotto struck out to end the threat. In the third, the Saints again loaded the bases with one out, but Scott Lynch struck out and Cannon Vandever grounded out.
Siena used five pitchers in the loss. Nolan Puglisi allowed two earned runs on one hit in 2 2/3 innings while striking out three. Gio Conte started and was charged with two earned runs in one-third of an inning. Evan Saulys recorded the final out of the sixth.
The game was the third of a four-game series that began Wednesday. Canisius won the opener 15-2 and Thursday’s game 13-6.
Zwirecki extended a hot stretch at the plate. In his previous four games against Siena and Sacred Heart, he had collected at least one hit in three of them and driven in seven runs combined.
Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Canisius 7, Siena 6, and Interstat’s ELO system gave Canisius a 66.40 percent probability to win.