LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Baseball is slated to make its highly anticipated return to Connors Park this weekend when the Saints host MAAC rival Marist. The three-game series is set to commence Friday at 3 p.m., with Saturday's tilt scheduled for 2 p.m., and the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Siena (5-17, 3-0) continues its season-long nine-game homestand with its first games on campus at Connors Park this season. The Saints played their first four games of the homestand – Friday and Sunday (doubleheader) vs. Saint Peter's and Tuesday against Fairleigh Dickinson – on Buck Ewing Field at Central Park in nearby Schenectady.
 
Siena was one of two teams (Rider) to sweep its MAAC-opening series last weekend. The Saints, who were predicted to finish ninth according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, amassed 34 runs in their three-game sweep of the Peacocks.
 
Following a slow start – albeit against some top-flight competition down south – Siena's offense has come alive to propel the team recently, as the Saints are averaging 7.2 runs over their past 14 games. Overall, Siena leads the MAAC so far this season in both extra-base hits (63) and doubles (44). Harford Community College transfer Nick Hohenstein, who began the season primarily in a pitching role, was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Monday after hitting an even .500 with a pair of home runs over five games last week. Hohenstein currently leads the MAAC in both slugging percentage (.708) and OPS (1.152).
 
On the pitching front, staff ace Mike McCully is coming off his best performance of the season with a complete game four-hitter in last Friday's win over Saint Peter's. The senior righthander walked just one and struck out eight in a dominant performance. Classmate Ben Seiler has combined with McCully to give the Saints a veteran 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Seiler has been a steadying force so far in the rotation, leading all staff qualifiers with a 4.50 ERA while also ranking fourth in the MAAC with 38 strikeouts. He struck out a career-high 16 over eight-plus innings in Sunday's victory over the Peacocks, while eclipsing the 100-strikeout mark for his career.
 
Predicted to finish fourth according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, Marist (11-9, 1-2) dropped two of three vs. defending regular season champion Fairfield to open its league slate last weekend. The Red Foxes currently lead the MAAC in both scoring offense (6.3) and stolen bases (28), and rank second in team ERA (5.76). Gene Napolitano leads the MAAC in runs scored (23) and ranks fourth in batting average (.384). Marist Head Coach Chris Tracz enters the weekend just two victories shy of 300 for his career.
 
Siena and Marist has been one of the most competitive MAAC Baseball rivalries in league history. The Red Foxes have had the upper hand of late however, winning six of the past seven meetings while averaging a whopping 13.6 runs to reclaim a 39-37 advantage in the all-time series. Marist swept a pair of midweek doubleheaders in Poughkeepsie as part of a special COVID-affected league schedule last season, outscoring the Saints by a 55-12 margin over the four games. Friday's series-opener will mark the first game between the teams in Loudonville since 2016.
 
All three games this weekend are scheduled to be broadcast, with Friday and Sunday's contests set to air on ESPN3. Emmanuel Berbari and Joe Mixie have the call of the action on ESPN3, which can be viewed by clicking the corresponding links, on smartphones and tablets via the ESPN app, and on televisions through Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Berbari also has the call of the middle game of the series Saturday on Siena All-Access, which can be viewed free of charge by clicking the corresponding link.