POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Marist Red Foxes erupted for four runs in a chaotic bottom of the first inning and never looked back, cruising to a 9-2 victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference baseball action Saturday at James J. McCann Baseball Field.

The win, played under the lights after an afternoon start, gave Marist (12-19, 2-0 MAAC) a series victory after taking the opener Friday night. Quinnipiac fell to 13-19 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

The game’s decisive turn came immediately after Quinnipiac was held scoreless in the top of the first. Marist sent 10 batters to the plate against Bobcats starter Andrew Rubayo in the home half, capitalizing on shaky control and defensive miscues. After TJ Baer and AJ Brotz singled, Noel Rivera drove in the first run with a single. Rubayo then walked Nathan Lincoln to load the bases before striking out Kyle Pollack.

The right-hander could not escape, however. He walked Scott Esposito to force in a run, then hit Connor Lawrence with a pitch to bring in another. A passed ball allowed a fourth run to score, all before Rubayo recorded a second out via strikeout. He finally ended the 40-plus minute inning by fanning Luke Monico, but the damage was done.

Marist starter Tyler Hartley, named the top star for the Red Foxes, weathered early traffic to earn the win. Quinnipiac touched him for a run in the second on an RBI single from Chase Camac, but Hartley limited the damage over five innings of work, allowing one earned run on seven hits with four strikeouts.

The Red Foxes added a run in the second on an RBI single from Lincoln, then broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning to chase Rubayo. The rally was highlighted by an RBI single from Lawrence. Reliever Mike Poncini entered and allowed two of his inherited runners to score, with the final run coming home on a fielder’s choice by Monico.

Poncini provided the lone bright spot for the Quinnipiac pitching staff, following Rubayo’s difficult start. After Rubayo was charged with six earned runs on 10 hits in four-plus innings, Poncini fired four shutout innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out three.

Marist’s final run came in the sixth on a balk called against Poncini, allowing Rivera to score. Rivera was a constant threat for the Red Foxes, finishing a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk.

Quinnipiac’s offense managed 10 hits but repeatedly stalled, hitting into three double plays. Alex Irizarry led the Bobcats, going 3 for 4 with a solo home run in the ninth inning to account for the final margin. Camac added two hits and an RBI.

Caleb Kempler closed the game for Marist with four strong innings of relief to earn a save, surrendering just one run on three hits.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 6-5 Quinnipiac victory. Marist’s probability to win was rated at 50.40% by the service’s ELO system.

The teams conclude their three-game MAAC series Sunday afternoon. Quinnipiac will look to avoid the sweep before returning home to face Yale on Wednesday. Marist will host the finale before a Tuesday road trip to Rutgers.