Box Score BUFFALO, N.Y.- Unable to complete the comeback, the Saint Peter's University baseball team dropped a 6-3 decision to Canisius College this afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action. The Peacocks (7-11, 2-1 MAAC) managed to erase two separate two-run deficits, but were unable to take a lead over the Golden Griffins (15-7, 1-2 MAAC) at any point in the contest.
Despite today's loss, the Peacocks' sweep of yesterday's doubleheader secured the series win; marking the first time Saint Peter's has bested Canisius in a three-game series since 2006. The series win also marked the sixth time in the last seven years that Saint Peter's has opened MAAC play with a series victory.
James Smith (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and run, to conclude the series a combined 6-for-10 from the plate.
Nicholas Henriquez (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) went 1-for-2 with a run scored, while Matt Speckmann (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) and William Rawson (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) each recorded a hit and an RBI.
Freshman righty John Leiter (Toms River, N.J./Toms River South) recieved the second loss of his career; pitching five innings and giving up four runs on five walks and two hits.
Three Golden Griffins recorded two hits and a run in the win: Mike Krische, Jimmy Luppens and Chris Gruarin. Krische also drove in three runs.
Canisius jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second, after loading the bases to allow Krische to deliver a two-RBI single to right.
Saint Peter's sliced the hosts' lead in half three innings later, as an RBI base-hit by Speckmann scored Smith who singled on to start the inning. The Peacocks soon found themselves in a three-run deficit in the bottom of the frame however, after a double by Brooklyn Foster brought home two Griff baserunners (4-1).
The Peacocks battled back in the next inning, getting the first two batters on via walks. Both Henriquez and Robert Moore (Ridge, N.Y./Longwood High School) would receive the base on balls to put runners on first and second with no outs, and each moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Mancini (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North). An RBI groundout from Rawson scored Henriquez, followed by a single from Smith to bring home Moore (4-3). Chris Grimes (Iselin, N.J./JFK-Iselin) flew out to right field to conclude the inning.
Canisius scored an insurance run in each of the seventh and eighth innings to secure the win. Saint Peter's left three total base runners in the final three innings of play.
The Peacocks finished the game with five hits to Canisius' eight.
Saint Peter's returns to the diamond on March 26th, for a single game against non-conference opponent Monmouth University. First pitch is slated for 3pm in West Long Branch, N.J.
