NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Canisius scored 13 runs in the final three innings to outlast the Iona College baseball team 17-12 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Salesian Field. The Griffs (9-14, 3-0 MAAC) took the three-game series from the Gaels with the win (7-13, 0-3 MAAC).

After the two teams played scoreless baseball through the first three innings the pace picked up in the fourth. The Griffs plated three runs in the top of the inning to take an early lead. Iona responded with five of their own in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore SS Matthew Kriss started the rally with an RBI double. Two batters later, he would score on senior C Chris Griffin's double. With runners on first and second, Canisius starter RHP Chris Cox hit two straight batters including junior 3B Chris Burke who earned his first of a season-best five RBI on the day. A two-run single by junior DH James Beck gave Iona a 5-3 advantage after four innings.

Each team added a run in the sixth inning. Burke drilled a two-out solo home run over the left field wall for Iona.

The scoring really picked up beginning with the seventh inning. After Iona starter Thomas Kriss was lifted after 116 pitches with one on and one out in the inning, Canisius quickly erased and took a lead of their own with a six-run frame. The Gaels erased the four-run deficit in the bottom of the inning. An RBI double by sophomore CF Anthony Muccio was followed by Burke's second homer of the contest, a three-run bomb that knotted the score at 10-10.

Canisius continued to take advantage of Iona's bullpen in the final two innings, scoring seven times in the eighth and ninth. RBI singles by Beck and senior 2B Nick Rossetti completed the scoring in the contest.

Beck was 2-for-5 and reached on the HBP with his two homeruns and five RBI. Muccio posted three hits and scored three times. Beck, Rossetti, Matt Kriss and Griffin also recorded multiple hits in the contest. Rookie LF Joe Torres recorded three runs scored, reaching base twice via a walk and once on a fielder's choice.

Tom Kriss went 6.1 innings with six hits and five earned runs allowed. He struck out five batters including all three batters faced in the fifth. Junior RHP Anthony Castellitto (1-3) took the loss.

The Griffs were led by 1B Brian Burton who posted two homeruns and six RBI in the win. After surrendering the lead in the seventh inning, Canisius RHP Tim Seil picked up the win when his team regained it in the top of the eighth.

The Gaels return to action at Salesian Field on Tuesday afternoon when they host Sacred Heart at 3:30 pm.

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
Canisius............ 000 301 643 - 17 15  1
Iona College........ 000 501 402 - 12 15  5