The 2026 MAAC Baseball Championship began on May 20 at Heritage Financial Park in Wappingers Falls, New York, drawing fans from across the region for the season’s first slate of games. The tournament opened with three matchups that highlighted the depth of talent in the league.
Opening Day Highlights
Fairfield University opened its campaign with a 6-3 win over Marist University. Right-hander Ben Alekson delivered a complete game, striking out two batters while allowing just two earned runs. His effort was complemented by JP Kuczik, who drove in three runs and scored once, helping the Stags pull away in the later innings.
Merrimack College followed with a dominant 7-0 shutout of Canisius University. The Warriors’ pitching staff limited the opponent to a single hit, and the offense was anchored by multi‑RBI performances from Brooks Craigue and Joey Frammartino, each contributing two runs driven in.
Marist’s elimination‑bracket game against Canisius turned into a back‑and‑forth battle that ended 10-8 in favor of the Red Foxes. Luke Monico’s grand slam and a solo home run swung the momentum, while Noel Rivera and AJ Brotz each recorded multi‑hit games, underscoring the team’s resilience.
What’s Next
With those results, Fairfield and Merrimack advance to the winner’s bracket, while Marist joins the elimination bracket. The early outcomes set a competitive tone for the days ahead, as each team looks to build momentum and refine strategies before the tournament’s later stages.