By: Colton Pankiewicz
The Golden Griffins recorded a season-high 20 hits in their home opener on Tuesday, en route to a 22–7 victory against Binghamton.
Any moisture left from the rainfall before Canisius’ home opener quickly turned to steam as the reigning MAAC champions warmed up for the first pitch. Chris Pouliout stepped up to the mound to make his first start of the season for the Griffs after making 14 starts for them in 2022.
Sophomore Jackson Strong continued to roll, holding the second highest batting average in the MAAC, as he accounted for five RBI’s through just the first two innings.
Those runs stemmed from a two run single, and a moonshot that brought home another three as Canisius closed out the second inning up 8-0.
“Second to our approach, which coach preaches, I was just seeing the ball down in the barrel today,” said Strong after a game in which he finished with six RBI’s and a homerun.
The Griffs’ Levi Abbott entered the game early in relief, throwing for four innings, and allowing just one run while striking out five Bearcat batters. In those four frames, Canisius extended their lead further, leading 11-1 after Kyle Kush hit the fifth home run of his five year career with the blue and gold.
Canisius’ bats stayed hot, as two of Mike Destefano’s four hits came after the fifth inning. His performance in addition to a seventh inning home run from junior, Carlin Dick, as the Griffs moved their lead to 11.
The game ended with a score of 22–7, in favor of Canisius. Thus marking the second time in three games that the Golden Griffins have scored more than 20 runs. Their next opponent, the Iona Gaels, have not allowed more than twenty runs a single time this year, and have won two of their last three games. Canisius plays host to Iona this weekend for a three game series, a matchup that the Griffs have found favorable, winning 31 of their last 34 games against the Gaels.
“Everyones swinging on all cylinders, our guys are figuring it out and we're just going to continue,” added Strong, heading into their series against Iona.