MAAC BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: MARIST VS. CANISIUS

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference baseball championship begins Wednesday with a matchup between the seed Marist Red Foxes (21-28) and the seed Canisius Golden Griffins (21-24) at Dutchess Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Marist enters the tournament on a modest uptick, having split a doubleheader with Bryant on May 15. The Red Foxes took the first game 3-2 behind an RBI home run from right fielder Chris Diaz, who went 2 for 3. Pitchers Andrew Fierro (1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 K) and Jason Bassett (2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 K) combined to preserve the one-run win. Marist dropped the second game 9-2.

The Red Foxes have struggled for consistency, going 4-6 in their last 10 games. Their offense has been uneven, but the bullpen has shown flashes. Right-handed reliever Andrew Speranza is a key arm to watch. Over his last eight appearances, Speranza has posted a 2.84 ERA across 13⅔ innings, striking out 18 while allowing only six hits. His most recent outing came May 20 against Fairfield (Interstat) — a 3-6 loss in which he threw 3⅔ scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out four. Earlier in May, he tossed two scoreless frames against Albany and one against Bryant. Speranza has been effective when used in middle relief, holding opponents to a .133 batting average over his last five outings.

Canisius comes in riding a four-game winning streak, including a three-game sweep of Siena from May 13-15. In the finale, the Golden Griffins romped 10-0 behind a dominant start from Noah Albano, who allowed two hits and struck out five over 2⅔ innings. Catcher/first baseman Thomas Zwirecki led the offense, going 2 for 4 with a home run and five RBIs. Shortstop Blake Herman added a homer and two RBIs.

Zwirecki has been the team’s most productive hitter over the past two weeks. In his last 10 games, he is batting .421 (16 for 38) with two home runs, 20 RBIs and a .500 on-base percentage. He has driven in multiple runs in six of those contests, including a four-RBI game against Siena on May 13 and a three-RBI game against Sacred Heart on May 8.

The Golden Griffins have won seven of their last eight, with the lone setback a 10-5 loss to Sacred Heart on May 10. Their pitching staff has been solid, allowing three or fewer runs in five of those eight games.

Wednesday’s matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. The winner advances in the double-elimination tournament.