Courtesy of GoGriffs.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Iannick Remillard closed out a 7-6 win in game two of a doubleheader against Iona on Saturday, as he set the new program record for career saves, with the Griffs sweeping the twin bill against the Gaels. In game one the Griffs defeated Iona 10-0, while game two the Blue and Gold were victorious 7-6. With the pair of victories, Canisius is now 20-18 overall and 10-4 in MAAC play, while Iona drops to 8-27 overall and 2-9 in conference action.
GAME ONE:
In the first game of the twin bill the Griffs offense came alive recording 13 hits and holding the Gaels to just five baserunners in the game.
Josh Shepley shook off some early rust in the first inning, to go eight-strong frames, yielding only two hits and stiking out five, to record the win. With the victory Shepley improved to 2-4 on the year.
Andrew Knuessle came on and closed the game out in the final inning, facing three batters and striking out two.
Nine different Griffs recorded hits in the contest, with Jake Lumley leading the way, going 3-of-4 at the dish. John Conti at the bottom of the order and Anthony Massicci at the top, did the most damage driving in three runs apiece. Lumley also recorded two RBI in the ffort.
The Griffs got off to a fast start, as an RBI triple by Lumly brought Massicci in. Next Ryan Stekldrove in a run, as he grounded out to the shortstop to give the Griffs a slim 2-0 lead.
Following a run in the bottom of the third, the Blue and Gold posted two more runs thanks to RBI singles by Lumley and Liam Wilson.
The most damage was done in the sixth frame, as Christ Conley got the rally started with an RBI double down the right field line. The scoring was capped by Massicci, who singled to centerfield to drive in Conti and Alex O’Donnell.
The Blue and Gold added two more in the bottom of the seventh to take down Iona 10-0 in the first game of the double header.
GAME TWO:
Iona took control early in game two, but a six-run rally in the sixth helped push the Blue and Gold to victory.
Nolan Hunt got the start for Canisius and went three innings, and surrendered three this, three runs and fanned three in the no-decision. Aaron Capser came on in the fourth and worked three frames, yielding just two hits and two earned runs to earn his fifth victory of the season.Remillard came on in the seventh to record his 11th save of the year.
Massicci was once again the offensive catalyst for the Griffs, registering two hits and two RBI to pace the team. Freshman Mark McKenna also dealt a blow, notching a hit and two RBI in the outing.
With the score 4-1 in favor of the Gaels, Canisius blew the game open scoring six runs in a four hit rally in the bottom of the fifth inning. Massicci doubled down the right field line to begin the scoring with Joseph Preziuso coming around to score. A pair of passed balls by the Gaels brought in Conti and Massicci to continue the rally. Adam Tricarico was next in the stretch, recording a single to right field to drive in Wilson. McKenna capped the scouring with a two-RBI single to center field to make it 7-4.
Iona got to Casper in the sixth, as Matt Byrne drilled a two-run homerun over the right field fence. The narrow deficit led to Canisius calling on its closr.
Remillard came on in the final frame and made history in doing so, recording his 11th save of the season, and his 23rd save of his career. The senior hurler passed Jon Fitzsimmons for most saves in program history. He matched the mark on Tuesday against Buffalo.
Canisius will have a chance to earn the series sweep over Iona on Sunday as the two teams go back at it at noon, at the Demske Sports Complex.
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