Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Freshman Ryan Plourde delivered a walk-off single in extra innings to help the Fairfield University baseball team split a crucial Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader with Siena College. Plourde's heroics came in the eighth inning of the second game of the twin bill, giving the Stags a 2-1 victory. The Saints took the opener, 3-1, in a come-from-behind win.
Plourde went a combined 3-for-5 on the day. Sophomore Anthony Hajjar also had a strong day at the plate, going a combined 4-for-7.
Fairfield (15-21; 7-7 MAAC) fought back from a one-run deficit in the second game to force extra innings. Siena (18-25; 7-7 MAAC) had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a single by Vinny Citro. The Saints were able to hold off the Stags until the seventh inning when Hajjar led off with a single. After a sacrifice bunt by Chris Horning, which advanced pinch runner Tyler Wosleger, Plourde singled.With two outs in the inning, pinch hitter Jack Giannini singled to second to load the bases. The next batter, junior Ryan Furbeck, had worked the count full when he was hit by a pitch, forcing the tying run in. Reliever Ryan Poplawski was able to get the Saints out of the jam and force extra frames.
In top of the eighth inning, starter Scott Warwick mowed down Siena in order. With one out in the bottom half of the inning, Fairfield loaded the bases once again. Plourde then stepped to the plate and ripped single through the left side to score Carmine DeVito and give the Stags the victory.
Warwick (5-3) threw a complete game, allowing just one run and scattering five hits while fanning four batters. Poplawski (3-3), who notched the win in game one, took the loss after being charged with a run on two walks in two-thirds of an inning.
In the opener, senior Tucker Nathans gave Stags an early 1-0 lead with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning. The two teams would remain scoreless until the eighth inning, despite Fairfield's numerous scoring chances.
With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the eighth, Kevin Quaranto put the Saints on top, 2-1, with a single to the left field corner. Fairfield put a runner on third in the bottom half of the stanza but could not capitalize. In the top of the ninth, Siena added an insurance run on a RBI double by Adam Guinn. In the bottom of the inning, the Stags put two runners on with one out, but Poplawski was able to get out of the inning unscathed.
Poplawski went 3.0 scoreless innings in the victory, allowing just one hit. Kyle Sumple received the no-decision after allowing one run on nine hits in 6.0 innings. Junior Brett Shulick (3-3) was charged with the loss, despite scattering two runs on six hits in 7.1 innings of work.
Furbeck walked twice and was hit by two pitches, extending his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games.
Fairfield and Siena will play the deciding game of the series tomorrow, May 1, at 12pm on Alumni Diamond.
