FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University baseball team split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader with Iona College this afternoon at Alumni Diamond. The Stags took the first game, 6-5, but fell, 3-1, in the night cap after a seventh inning rally fell short.

Senior Chris Horning went a combined 3-for-5 with two walks and a RBI for the Stags (17-23; 8-9 MAAC) while rookie Ryan Plourde went 3-for-6 with a walk, two run scored and one batted in. Junior Larry Cornelia finished the day with three hits as well while sophomore Anthony Hajjar drove in three runs.

The first game was a back and forth battle with the Stags prevailing, 6-5. Fairfield got on the board in the third inning on a two-RBI single by Hajjar. Iona (17-27; 7-10 MAAC) cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth on a RBI single by Matt Kriss, but the Stags got the run back on a RBI single by Ryan Furbeck.

Iona tied the game, 3-3, on the top of the fifth on a two-run homer by Chris Burke. The Stags regained the lead on a RBI triple by Plourde in the bottom half of the inning. Horning then singled him home to push the lead to 5-3. In the seventh, Burke led off with a solo homer, his second of the day, to pull the Gaels within, 5-4. A sacrifice fly by Anthony Muccio later tied the game, 5-5. Fairfield responded in the bottom half of the frame. With one out, Plourde beat out a groundball to shortstop while Horning drew a walk. With two outs, Cornelia sliced a single into right field, allowing Plourde to score easily and give the Stags the 6-5 lead. Fairfield fought off Iona the rest of the way for the victory.

Reliever Mark Bordonaro (2-3) picked up the win after tossing 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. Brett Shulick received a no-decision after striking out seven in 6.1 innings. Brian Callahan (3-2) took the loss for Iona, allowing one run on three hits 3.0 innings.

In the second game of the twin bill, both teams went scoreless until fourth inning. In the top of the fourth, Iona was able to push three runs across the plate for the lead at the midway point. In the bottom half of the inning, the Stags got one of the runs back on a RBI single by Hajjar. But with two on and one out, Iona was able to turn a double play and get out of the inning. Fairfield threatened again in the bottom of the seventh, as Plourde and Horning posted back-to-back singles with one out. Iona starter Justin Wiley was able to pitch out of the jam to preserve the win for the Gaels.

Wiley (6-3) notched the complete game victory, holding Fairfield to one run on eight hits while striking out six batters. Junior Scott Warwick took the loss for the Stags, allowing three runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts. Junior Gavin McCullough threw 3.0 shutout innings for Fairfield, scattering two hits.

Furbeck went 2-for-4 in the opening game to extend his on-base streak to 24 games. The streak was snapped in the second game as the centerfielder failed to reach base for the first time since March 18.

Fairfield and Iona will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow, May 8, at 12pm on Alumni Diamond.