POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Purple Eagles start conference play this weekend when they travel east to take on the Marist Red Foxes on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Purple Eagles (4-16), who are coming off of a victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers, were led on offense through MAAC play last season by Ryan McCauley and Joel Klock   McCauley finished with a .359 batting average, nine doubles, four homeruns and 24 RBIs (all team-highs) in 23 games.  Klock was second with a .326 batting average and eight doubles.
 
The team swept the Red Foxes (6-8) last season, taking both games played at Sal Maglie Stadium.  Jim Fort started the first game and got the win, giving up four runs on 10 hits through eight innings.  Drew Fittry started the second game, which was a 15-inning marathon, and got a no decision after throwing seven complete innings and giving up just two runs on seven hits.  Both pitchers collected five strikeouts without giving up a single walk.

 
Back at the plate, Klock and Thomas Rodrigues both led all returning Purple Eagles with two RBIs apiece in the series against Marist. 
 
The series gets underway with a doubleheader on Saturday that is scheduled to begin at noon and wraps up with a single game on Sunday, also a noon start.