A pivotal night in Poughkeepsie
Marist University’s baseball squad entered the MAAC Championships with a mixed record, having fallen to Fairfield before edging past Canisius. The team now stands on the brink of elimination, set to meet Merrimack in a win-or-go-home contest that begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Merrimack arrives as the fourth seed, boasting a 20-10 conference slate and a recent 7-0 victory over Canisius, though they fell to Rider earlier in the tournament. The Foxes know that a win will keep their championship hopes alive, while a loss will end their season.
Offensively, Luke Monico has been a catalyst, delivering both a solo home run and a grand slam that helped swing the game against Canisius. Joining him, Joey Frammartino leads Merrimack with a .317 average and 54 RBIs, making him a constant threat at the plate.
On the mound, Andrew Speranza provided 3.2 innings of relief against Fairfield, limiting the opposition to a single earned run, while Tyler Hartley opened the Canisius game with three scoreless innings. Their efforts underscore a pitching staff that has shown resilience despite early setbacks.
The upcoming matchup also carries a historical footnote: Marist dropped two of three regular-season meetings with Merrimack in late April, adding a layer of urgency to the showdown. As the Foxes prepare to fight for every out, the stage is set for a dramatic finish.