Freshmen, defense spark series sweep over Mount St. Mary’s

By Cassandra Ercoli, Sports Reporter

After struggling with consistency for the first half of the conference schedule, the Golden Griffins have found their footing after sweeping the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers this past weekend in a home series win in Buffalo, N.Y. 

On paper, it was a David and Goliath matchup. Prior to the weekend, the Mount sat third in the conference as one of the teams to beat, having won their last seven games, six of which were conference matchups. The Griffs, on the other hand, were 4–10 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, unable to string together a lasting winning streak after being swept by Iona. 

The Griffs were able to take down the Mountaineers not by offensive prowess, but by sound defense and freshmen breakthroughs. First year pitcher Mia Preuhs took the circle for Game 1, striking out three batters and giving up just three hits and one run. Despite issuing five walks, the New Castle, Pa. native was able to get out of jams, forcing the Mount to strand two runners in scoring position.

The Griffs jumped to a 2–0 lead in the first inning thanks to an Ella Johel triple that sent Bella Martin home. A flyout would later cash in Johel for the second run. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers did not earn their first run until the fifth inning where a Shannon Mani single led to a run scored after a fielder’s choice, sacrifice bunt and flyout. 

After a lengthy bottom of the fifth inning, the Griffs scored their third run of the afternoon after a hit by pitch, sacrifice bunt and Martin single that sent Grace Walker around the diamond. With Griffs standing at second and third after Martin stole second, the Blue and Gold appeared to score their fourth run, but it was later called back because of runner interference by Martin when running from second to third. The run from Maddy Hans did not count and Martin was out on the play.

In the seventh, junior Liv Herrington took over for Preuhs after loading the bases. With the Mount threatening, Herrington recorded three outs on eight pitches to earn her first save of the season. 

In Game 2, the score was deadlocked until the bottom of the fifth. With the first batter of the inning reaching base, freshman Avyree Sherman hit a double to left center to drive in the game’s only run. Sherman, who only had thirteen at-bats before the series, did not start in Game 1, but was able to play hero for the Griffs as they headed into the final game up 2–0 on the Mountaineers. 

What secured the Griffs' narrow victories was their defensive edge. After recording just six double plays in 38 games this season, Canisius’ defense recorded three double plays in the first two games. Another sound defensive performance came from the freshman catcher Hans, who caught one runner stealing in each game, which also stood as her first successful caught stealings this season. 

In the final showdown, it was the Mount who collected their first lead of the series when Tristin Koerner sent one over the fence for her third home run of the season in the top of the fourth. However, when the Griffs took over the plate in the bottom of the fourth, Sofia Escoto responded with her own two-out home run, tying the game back up with her first long ball since Feb. 14. 

In the pursuing inning, Preuhs relieved starting pitcher Olivia Manchester, who finished the afternoon with one earned run, five put-outs and zero batters walked. Though Preuhs gave up three hits in the inning, the Canisius defense was able to control the threat, throwing out a runner at third and again forcing the Mount to strand two runners. 

The Griffs’ own fifth inning was a show put on by the freshmen. After Walker safely reached base at the lead-off spot, freshman Michaela Sycalik came in to pinch run, and was able to advance to second on a bunt by junior Rebecca Hai. The next at-bat, freshman Talia Yermian came in as a pinch hitter and successfully advanced Sycalik to third. With two outs, a single from Hans sent Sycalik home for a 2–1 lead, marking her third run batted in with two outs during MAAC play. 

Preuhs closed the game retiring six of the next eight batters, including zero hits and three strikeouts. Her relief garnered her second win of the weekend and her third victory in conference play.

The series sweep against the Mountaineers marks the program’s first three-game conference sweep since April 2024 when the Griffs swept the Siena Saints. 

Since their series win against St. Peter’s a week and a half ago, the Griffs are 5–3 and are now riding a three-game winning streak. After their duel against Mount St. Mary’s, the Griffs remain one of two teams with an extended streak, with Iona capping off their weekend on a five-game winning streak. 

With momentum now on their side, Canisius heads to Lawrenceville, N.J. for an all-important clash with Rider, who sit two spots ahead of the Griffs at 10–8. Only a sweep would put the Griffs ahead of the Broncs, but the resiliency of this young team has proved they can play with anyone in the conference. 

With a push for a MAAC playoff spot in full swing, the series will begin on Friday with a duel at 4 p.m. before doubleheader action is set to begin on Saturday at noon. 

Mikaila Obenrader pitching (via Tom Wolf)