(Interstat) — MAAC Baseball Championship Preview: Canisius vs. Merrimack

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference baseball championship continues Wednesday afternoon at Dutchess Stadium, where seed Canisius (21-24) meets seed Merrimack (26-27) in an elimination game.

The Golden Griffins won two of three against the Warriors in a March 20-21 series in Buffalo. Canisius took the opener 5-3, then split a doubleheader March 21, winning 14-3 and losing 4-2.

Canisius enters on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Siena at home last week. The Griffins outscored the Saints 38-8 in those games, including a 10-0 shutout Friday in which catcher/first baseman Thomas Zwirecki went 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. Zwirecki has been the lineup’s catalyst, hitting .429 (12-for-28) with two homers and 14 RBIs over his last seven games. He also drove in four runs in a 15-2 win over Siena on May 13 and has multiple hits in six of his past nine contests.

Right-hander Noah Albano threw 2⅔ shutout innings of relief Friday, allowing two hits and striking out five. The Griffins’ pitching staff has allowed two runs or fewer in four of their last five wins.

Merrimack also arrives hot, having taken two of three from Quinnipiac last weekend. The Warriors won 14-4 and 12-6 on Saturday, then lost 12-11 on Friday. Second baseman Greg Cristino powered the doubleheader sweep, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs in the 12-6 win. Over his last 10 games, Cristino is batting .324 (12-for-37) with four homers and 12 RBIs. He also went 4-for-6 with two homers and five RBIs in a 16-6 win at Mount St. Mary’s on May 3.

Merrimack’s offense has been potent, scoring at least 11 runs in six of its last seven victories. The Warriors swept a three-game set at Saint Peter’s from May 8-10, outscoring the Peacocks 38-14.

The winner advances in the double-elimination bracket, while the loser is eliminated. First pitch is set for early afternoon.