May 6, 2011

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - With only six crucial games remaining for La Salle in Atlantic 10 play, the conference schedule will be on hold this weekend as the baseball team travels north to take on Marist in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at McCann Stadium.  

The Explorers (24-17) will in fact play four straight non-conference games, very rare for the month of May, before gearing back up in the A-10 next weekend when nationally-ranked Charlotte visits Hank DeVincnet Field. 

The four-game excursion from Atlantic 10 action begins with a tough matchup on Saturday, as Marist enters play with a top-100 RPI and a very talented squad. 

The Red Foxes (30-14) are coming off a doubleheader split against Brown earlier this week and will also take a break from conference play this weekend in the competitive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).  

La Salle and Marist have had a bevy of common opponents this season, including MAAC foes Manhattan and Saint Peter's which La Salle defeated in early March during the Big 5 Baseball Bash.  Marist has also earned three-game sweeps over A-10 opponents Richmond and George Washington earlier this season.  Both clubs have also squared off against Delaware State in 2011. 

On the mound, La Salle will send LHP Eric Van Wyk (3-1, 3.39) to the hill in game one of the twin-bill with RHP Kevin Fuqua (4-4, 3.63) set to start game two.  Marist will send LHP Chad Gallagher (7-2, 2.82) to the mound in the first contest followed by RHP Kyle Putman (3-2, 4.88) in game two.  

The first game of the double-dip is scheduled to begin at noon with game two to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion first contest.  Game two will also be a seven-inning affair. 

Live audio of the game is available weather permitting on GoExplorers.com.  Jared Smith will man the radio broadcast for the second straight weekend.  Live stats of the game will also be available.