LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Baseball rallied from a nine-run fifth inning deficit to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but couldn't complete the comeback in a 13-11 setback to Marist in the series-opener at Connors Park.
 
Jason Claiborn had three hits and knocked in five runs highlighted by a bases-clearing double to punctuate a decisive six-run fifth for Marist (22-25, 13-13), which inched closer towards clinching a MAAC Tournament berth. AJ Brotz and Nathan Lincoln each added three hits apiece for the Red Foxes who have now captured 13 of the past 17 in the series.
 
Aidan Paradine registered a game-high four hits and Nick Bergamotto added three as part of a 15-hit attack for Siena (21-29, 16-12), which slipped to fourth in the MAAC Standings, a game back of Quinnipiac which defeated Sacred Heart 4-3. The Saints remain a game clear of the fifth place Pioneers, while Mount St. Mary's is now just a game and a half back in sixth in a logjammed middle of the pack.
 
Marist scored in each of the first five innings to build a commanding 11-2 lead midway through. But the Saints chipped away by scoring in each of the ensuing four innings to rally.
 
After the Red Foxes added what proved to be a pair of key insurance runs in the top of the seventh to take a 13-5 lead, Siena responded with a pair of three-run frames. Jake Sparks extended his hitting streak to 19 straight in his final at-bat with a clutch three-run homer which pulled the Saints back within 13-11 in the eighth.
 
But Ethan Marzo settled things down out of the Marist bullpen with two scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts to lock down the save.
 
Due to the latest forecast for Friday, first pitch for Game Two of the series has been pushed up to a 1 p.m. start.