Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College baseball team will return to action on Tuesday with a non-conference matchup against Canisius University at Dick Rockwell Field. First pitch for the second meeting this season between the Dolphins and the Golden Griffins is set for 3:00 p.m.

The two sides met in Buffalo just over one month ago, with Canisius claiming a 17-9 win over the Dolphins. Sophomore outfielder Jack Cannon (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) launched a three-run home run for Le Moyne during the setback, while sophomore infielder Ethan Farina (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa/Saint Rose) recorded three hits, two RBIs and two runs.

For Canisius, sophomore infielder JC Spinosa, senior infielder Trent Rumley and junior infielder/DH Mason Cisco each produced four runs batted in during the win.

Le Moyne also traveled to Buffalo for a midweek matchup during the 2024 season, which marked the first meeting between the two programs since 2011. The Griffs earned a 4-3 win over the Dolphins last season despite a solo home run and a double from infielder Adam Sullivan (Syracuse, N.Y./Marcellus)

Le Moyne holds a 79-31 all-time record against Canisius.

Le Moyne is currently tied for fourth place in the NEC Standings alongside Stonehill with a 14-7 conference record. The Dolphins are coming off a big three-game conference sweep at Coppin State University this past weekend, totaling a combined 42 runs during the three games to register their third sweep of the season.

The Dolphins are currently 0-3 in midweek matchups and most recently suffered an 11-8 loss at home against Binghamton on April 22.

Freshman infielder Tim Denet (West Harrison, N.Y./Iona Prep) recorded three RBIs with the help of a two-run home run against the Bearcats, while junior outfielder Tyler Campbell (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill/Onondaga C.C.) provided two hits, two walks and three runs, and junior outfielder Paulie Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./Palmyra-Macedon/Finger Lakes C.C.) added two hits and two runs.

Junior right-handed pitcher Luke Connors (Brampton, Ontario/Heart Lake/Monroe C.C.) made his first start as a Dolphin against Binghamton, tossing 3.0 innings with four runs allowed.

Graduate right-hander Joel Connors (Brampton, Ontario/Heart Lake/Lakeland C.C./St. Andrew's/St. Bonaventure) recorded four strikeouts with one hit, zero walks and zero runs allowed in 1.1 innings in relief against the Bearcats, then right-hander Adam Sullivan tossed 2.0 perfect innings in relief during his first pitching appearance of the season.

Cannon currently leads the Dolphins in RBIs (30), slugging percentage (.581) and stolen bases (20), with seven doubles, five home runs, 30 hits and 22 runs scored.

Denet leads the team in hits (35), runs (32) and is tied for the team lead in home runs alongside senior outfielder Wyatt Patchett (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) with six.

Senior catcher/infielder Benji Ries (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) is the midst of an outstanding season at the plate for the Dolphins. Through 31 starts, Ries is hitting .333 with a .500 on-base percentage. Ries has tallied 19 runs, 33 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 walks. Ries' .500 on-base percentage ranks third among all NEC players, and his .409 batting average in NEC play is fourth in the conference.

SCOUTING THE GRIFFS:
Canisius is currently 11-24 overall, including 8-12 against MAAC opponents.

Rumley leads the Griffs in batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.455), slugging percentage (.659), runs (32), hits (47), doubles (12), home runs (8) and RBIs (38) through 35 starts.

Redshirt-sophomore catcher Thomas Zwirecki is slashing .352/.449/.636 for the Griffs through 27 games played with 27 RBIs, 10 doubles and five home runs.

Canisius most recently took two of three games during a MAAC series against Mount St. Mary's in Buffalo this past weekend. Zwirecki went 4 for 5 at the plate with a home run, two doubles, three runs and five RBIs during a 10-2 win over the Mount in game two.

Zwirecki, Owen Silliman and Andrew Marcello each provided two RBIs during Canisius' 12-2 win in game three. Silliman leads the Griffs in stolen bases this season, swiping 18 bags on 19 attempts. The junior outfielder has tallied 26 runs, 25 hits, 28 walks, six doubles and 12 RBIs so far this season.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler DeBrocky has started two midweek contests this season for the Griffs, including the matchup against Le Moyne on March 25. DeBrocky started Canisius' most recent midweek contest against St. Bonaventure on April 22, pitching 1.0 inning with one run allowed. Brian Smith was credited with the win during the Griffs' 17-4 win over the Bonnies after allowing one unearned run in 2.0 innings in relief.

During a 11-6 midweek loss at Niagara on March 18, Noah Albano started on the mound for Canisius and tossed 2.0 scoreless innings.

Canisius played a midweek contest against NEC side Mercyhurst on March 11 in Erie, claiming a 7-5 win over the Lakers. Smith started on the mound during that contest and completed 3.0 innings of work. Joe LoPinto was credited with the win after allowing one hit, one walk and zero runs with two strikeouts in 3.0 innings in relief.

Following Tuesday's midweek matchup against the Griffs, the Le Moyne baseball team will return to action on Friday when they begin a conference series at home against LIU. The Sharks will travel to Syracuse with an 18-3 conference record, which has them in second place in the league standings.