With the final MAAC weekend of the regular season upon us, only six teams will earn the right to participate in the MAAC Playoffs in Wappingers Falls, New York from May 20-23. With little margin for error, this tracker here is to keep you up to date on who clinches a spot in the postseason.
Who’s in? (May 15)
1.) Rider 29-17 (21-8) Clinched on May 8 after a 5-2 win over Quinnipiac
Defeated St. Peter’s 4-3 today in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
2.) Niagara 26-19-1 (20-10) Clinched on May 8 after a 15-11 win over Manhattan
Fell to Mount St. Mary’s today to 12-5. Could fall to the fourth seed if tiebreaker occurs.
3.) Fairfield 26-21 (19-10) Clinched on May 10 after 12-7 win over Marist
Went 1-1 on the day against Sacred Heart. Rubber match scheduled for tomorrow where they will look to improve their playoff seed.
4.) Merrimack 24-27 (18-10) Clinched on May 15 after 12-11 win over Quinnipiac
The long ball is what helped the Warriors today as junior Brooks Craigue and sophomores Matt DeShiro and Jayden Hamilton all hit home runs, with Craigue notching two, bringing his total to five on the year. With the Warriors now clinching a playoff spot, the final two games for the regular season will be for seeding.
5.) Marist 23-28 (17-13) Clinched on May 15 after defeating Bryant
Defeated non-conference opponent Bryant 3-2. The Red Foxes used six pitchers to get the job done agains the Bulldogs. In game two, Marist was able to clinch the series win with a 9-2 victory.
6.) Canisius 21-25 (17-13) Clinched on May 15 after a 10-0 win over Siena
Defeated Siena 10-0 in seven innings to sweep the series. The Golden Griffins outscored the Saints 38-8 throughout the series. Redshirt junior catcher Thomas Zwirecki went 8-13 over the series, tallying 11 runners batted in across the three games.
Who’s in the Hunt?
Quinnipiac 23-26 (14-14) Eliminated on May 15 after a 12-11 loss to Merrimack
Lost to Merrimack 12-11. Quinnipiac starter Andrew Rubayo allow 10 earned runs in just four and two-thirds innings. The Bobcats made a late push in the ninth inning, with a Christian Smith home run, but the Warriors would shut the door on the Bobcats season. The program has missed the postseason three times in the last five years.
Iona 18-27 (14-13) Eliminated on May 15
Sacred Heart 17-31 (12-14) Eliminated on May 15 after losing to Fairfield
Defeated Fairfield 12-7 in game one of today’s doubleheader. Centerfielder Peter Link led the offense in game one, going 4-5 with three runners batted in. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Matuschat threw six complete innings allowing five earned runs, walking two and striking out five. In game two, the Pioneers came out flat and Fairfield took them down 15-6.
Eliminated:
Mount St. Mary’s 22-26 (12-17) Eliminated on May 13 after a 15-4 win against Niagara
Siena 20-28 (12-18) Eliminated on May 13 after a 15-2 loss to Canisius
Manhattan 19-29 (9-19) Eliminated on April 26 after a 8-5 loss to Canisius
St. Peter’s 5-44 (1-27) Eliminated on April 26 after a 18-5 to Niagara
