Preview: Marist vs. Niagara (Interstat) — MAAC Championship

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (Interstat) — The seed Marist Red Foxes (23-29) meet the seed Niagara Purple Eagles (26-20-1) on Friday afternoon in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Baseball Championship at Dutchess Stadium.

Niagara swept a three-game series at home against Marist in mid‑April, winning 11-6, 8-3 and 10-6. The Purple Eagles enter the tournament after dropping their regular‑season finale 4-3 to Fairfield on Thursday. Marist closed its regular season with a 13-8 win at Merrimack the same day.

Marist’s pitching has been a strength in recent outings. Right‑hander Jack Sullivan worked three scoreless innings against Merrimack, allowing no hits and striking out four. In his five appearances this month, Sullivan has surrendered two earned runs over 9⅓ innings with 13 strikeouts. He is expected to be a key arm out of the bullpen.

Niagara counter with right‑hander Jack Dickinson. In his last start Thursday against Fairfield, Dickinson allowed one earned run on three hits over four innings with three strikeouts. Over his past five outings, Dickinson has a 2.08 ERA in 11⅓ innings, striking out 13.

The Red Foxes’ offense has been fueled by outfielder Chris Diaz, who homered and drove in three runs in Thursday’s win. Niagara’s lineup is led by center fielder Elijha Hammill, who went 2-for-4 against Fairfield.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 Marist victory.

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and comfortable temperatures.