Day 2 at Heritage Financial Park
The 2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Baseball Championship resumed on May 21 at Heritage Financial Park in Wappingers Falls, New York, bringing a full slate of games to the tournament.
Rider University opened the day with an 8‑2 victory over Merrimack College, a performance anchored by a complete game from pitcher PJ Craig, who yielded only two runs.
Fairfield University edged Niagara University 4‑3, with Matt Bucciero delivering the decisive single in the seventh inning that put the Stags ahead.
Marist College secured its second straight elimination‑bracket win, defeating Merrimack 13‑8 after a five‑run first inning and a fifth‑inning home run by Chris Diaz that sparked a rally.
The wins propelled Rider and Fairfield into the winner’s bracket, setting up a Friday morning showdown for a spot in the championship series, while Marist will meet Niagara in the elimination bracket later that day.
What’s Next
Fans can expect more high‑stakes pitching duels and clutch hitting as the tournament moves into its next phase.