Junior Shayne Willson’s two-run double in the ninth inning proved to be the game-winning hit as the Canisius College baseball team defeated Binghamton 7-5 on Thursday afternoon. The Golden Griffins improve to 15-15 overall and have won three of their last four games.
Four Griffs had two hits in the game – Willson, Kevin Mailloux, Ian Choy and Branson Joseph. Joseph and Willson each had two RBIs while Joseph had two stolen bases. Senior Brian Gibbs reached base in three of his five plate appearances out of the leadoff spot.
Binghamton (9-12) scored twice in the bottom of the first off Canisius starter Alek Brown before the Griffs responded with four runs in the second and one in the third to take a 5-2 lead. Willson led off the second with a double and scored on a single from Joseph. After Perry Silverman reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to second on an error, Andrew Russo singled Silverman home. Gibbs followed with a double to score Russo and Choy had an RBI single to make it 4-2.
The Griffs extended the lead to 5-2 in the third when Willson reached and advanced to second on an error. Joseph followed with another RBI single.
The Bearcats closed the gap to one run in the fourth and tied the game in the seventh with an RBI groundout. Canisius won the game in the ninth when Choy led off with a double. After Mailloux lined out, Kevin Mahoney drew an intentional walk to put runners at the corners. Willson doubled down the left field line to score pinch runner Will Chomicki and Mahoney.
Ryan McGorman allowed a one-out double in the ninth, but kept the Bearcats off the board to earn his second save of the season. Aaron Boag earned his first win of the season by allowing one run in two innings of relief. Brown yielded four runs in six innings pitched, allowing eight hits and one walk.
Canisius starts its three-game weekend series at Iona on Friday, with the doubleheader scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Game Notes: Sophomore catcher Andrew Russo made his second consecutive start ... Gibbs batted in the leadoff spot for the first time in three seasons as a Golden Griffin... Boag earned his first win since March 25, 2008, against Delaware State... Canisius won for the first time this season in a game that was tied entering the eighth inning and for the first time since a 5-4 win over Saint Peter’s on May 5, 2007... Choy has at least two hits in five of the last six games... Joseph stole two bases in a game for the first time this season.
Courtesy: Tom Wolf Imaging
