Canisius scored in five of the first six innings punctuated by a seven-run fifth to take the series-opener from Siena Baseball 15-2 in Buffalo.
Siena (20-28, 12-16) was eliminated from MAAC Tournament contention with the defeat.
Thomas Zwirecki went 4-5 with four runs scored and four RBI, and knocked in a pair during the seven-run Canisius (19-25, 15-13) fifth inning in which the Golden Griffins sent 11 men to the plate. Eric Weeks added three hits and four RBI for Canisius which took a two-game lead in the win column over Iona for the sixth and final MAAC Tournament spot with just two games remaining.
Vincent Venditti accounted for three of the Saints six hits – including a two-run home run in the fifth – to account for the Siena scoring.
Play resumes with the middle game of the series Thursday at 1 p.m.
