Feb. 5, 2009

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Canisius climbed to the top of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Golden Griffins garnered 81 points to finish comfortably ahead of second-place Rider with 66 points. Manhattan was third with 58 points. Marist and Siena tied for fourth with 53 points, followed by Fairfield, Niagara, Saint Peter’s and Iona.

Senior third baseman Kevin Mahoney of Canisius (pictured right) was voted the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year. He batted .369 a season ago with 66 hits, 51 runs and 52 RBI.

Fellow Griffs Kevin Mailloux (2B), Branson Joseph (OF) and Shane Davis (P) joined Mahoney on the Preseason All-MAAC Team.

MAAC Preseason Poll

1. Canisius 81

2. Rider 66

3. Manhattan 58

4. Marist 53

4. Siena 53

6. Fairfield 30

7. Niagara 29

8. Saint Peter’s 19

9. Iona 16

Preseason All-MAAC Team

C Sean Olson, Rider

1B Ryan Gauck, Marist

2B Kevin Mailloux, Canisius

SS Rich Curylo, Marist

3B Kevin Mahoney, Canisius

OF Branson Joseph, Canisius

OF Kevin Nieto, Manhattan

OF Mark Onarati, Manhattan

DH Kevin Quaranto, Siena

UT Jamie Hayes, Rider

P Shane Davis, Canisius

Preseason Player of the Year: Kevin Mahoney, Canisius

 (photo courtesy of Canisius Media Relations Office)