May 25, 2002

Box Score

Fishkill, NY - Marist College claimed the 2002 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) baseball tournament championship with a 10-5 victory over Rider University today at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY

Marist jumped out early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. The first three Marist batters all reached base, as Steve O'Sullivan earned a walk, followed by singles from Joey Salazar and Anthony Bocchino. Mike Sidoti followed with a groundball, which scored O'Sullivan, and forced out Bocchino at second base. Keith Brachold then flew out to center field, scoring Salazar, to give Marist a 2-0 lead. John McGorty gave Marist a 3-0 lead as he hit the first pitch of the second inning over the right field wall.

Rider answered in the bottom of the second, with back-to-back one out singles from Rich Brooks and David Deane, with Brooks scoring on a double to right center by Carl Loadenthal. David Sokolowoski tied the game at 3-3 with a two RBI single past third base.

Marist took the lead in the fifth inning when O'Sullivan singled with two outs. He advanced to second on a failed pick off attempt and scored when Salazar singled through the right side, making the score 4-3 Marist.

The Red Foxes loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh on a single by Keith Brachold intentionally, before a passed ball scored Bocchino and a sacrifice fly scored from Tim Allen scored Sidoti.

In the eighth inning, a solo home run down the left field line by Jimmy Willis and an unearned run by O'Sullivan after he reached on a single gave Marist a 10-3 advantage. Rider pushed across two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a double by Casey Long and a sacrifice fly by Scott Rich to provide the final margin.

Kevin Ool earned the win on the mound for Marist, pitching eight innings allowing three runs and striking out five to improve to 10-3 on the year. Kevin Shurtleff and Mark Norton combined to work the ninth inning for the Red Foxes.

For Rider, Eric Weiner (0-1) was on the losing end after coming on in relief of Ken Peare in the second inning. Weiner gave up three hits and one unearned run in four innings of action before handing the ball over to James Hoey in the top of the sixth inning. After receiving 2 2/3 innings from Hoey, Joe Ambler and Artie McShane completed the game for the Broncs.

Sidoti, who went 2-5 with three RBI's and O'Sullivan doubled, singled twice, and totaled four runs in the game for Marist. Sokolowski went 2-4 with two RBI's for Rider, which also received a 3-5 effort from Rich Brooks.

Sidoti was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player, hitting .417 with five RBI in the Red Foxes three game sweep. Allen, who's solo homerun in the 10th against LeMoyne on Friday, as well as Bocchino, John McGorty, and pitcher Brad Cook were all named to All-Tournament Team. Receiving honors for Rider were DH Bryan Merrigan, outfielder Scott Rich, infielder Casey Long, and pitcher Mark Fisher. Infielder Anthony Aquilino, of LeMoyne and outfielder Ryan Finn of Siena rounded out the MAAC All-Tournament selections.