NEW BRITAIN, CONN. – The Marist baseball team (1-10) fell behind early and was defeated 13-4 by Central Connecticut State (5-5) on Thursday afternoon.

Senior catcher Mark Swertfager (Katonah, N.Y.) led the way for the Red Foxes going 3-for-4 with two RBI's and one run scored. Sophomore designated hitter Greg Kocinski (Belle Mead, N.J.) was 2-for-5 with one run scored. Sophomore right fielder Tyler Kirkpatrick (Eagleville, Pa.) had two RBI's and went 1-for-3 at the plate.

Central Connecticut scored three runs in the first inning to grab the first lead of the game. The Red Foxes scored two runs in the second inning to cut the lead to one. Swertfager got two RBI's off a single to right center driving in Kocinski and freshman third basemen Ryan Lynch (Portsmouth, R.I.). Central Connecticut scored another run in the second inning to extend its lead to 4-2.

Two runs from the Red Foxes in the fourth inning would tie the game up at four all. Kirkpatrick singled up the middle to drive in Swertfager and senior second basemen Alec Petrone (Mahopac, N.Y.). That would be the last time the Red Foxes would cross home plate. Central Connecticut would score two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, one in the seventh and five in the eighth to win the game 13-4.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Spencer Bunting (Rocky Hill, Conn.) (0-2), who pitched 1.0 innings, picked up the loss for Marist. Bunting gave up two hits and two earned runs on six batters faced. Junior right-handed pitcher Erik Bauer (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) started on the mound for the Red Foxes and went 4.0 innings and gave up four hits and four earned runs with three strikeouts. Michael Pastore (1-0) pitched 2.1 innings in the win for Central Connecticut.

The Red Foxes return to action on Sunday, March 22 for a doubleheader with Sacred Heart, first pitch is yet to be determined. The two teams are trying to figure out a location to play an additional doubleheader on Saturday, March 21.