NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University baseball team split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader with Iona College this afternoon at Salesian Field. The Stags pounded the Gaels in the first game, 9-3, while Iona downed the Stags 8-5 in the nightcap.
 
Larry Cornelia went a combined 6-for-10 with four runs scored on the day. Anthony Hajjar went a combined 4-for-8 with five runs batted in while Tyler Wosleger was a combined 4-for-9 with two runs and three RBI.
 
In the first game, Fairfield exploded with six runs in the second inning. After loading the bases, with no outs, Ryan Plourde scored on a fielder's choice. A Gaels error allowed Dean Sadik to reach while Billy Zolga scored to make it 2-0. Ciccone then drew a walk while Cornelia followed with a single to plate Jack Giannini. With two outs and the bases loaded, Hajjar cleared them with a triple to give Fairfield the 6-0 lead.
 
Iona scored in the bottom of the third inning, but the Stags responded with a run on an RBI single by Wosleger in the top of the fourth. The Gaels scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Chris Burke. Fairfield added another run in the sixth on an RBI single by Wosleger. Sadik made it 9-3 with an RBI single in the top of the seventh.
 
Senior Scott Warwick improved to 2-1 on the season after scattering three runs on seven hits over six innings. He also fanned six batters. Andrew Gallagher tossed a scoreless inning of relief. Colin Lyall (0-3) took the loss, going 5.2 innings and giving up eight runs, five earned, on eight hits.
 
 
The Stags started the second game by putting three runs on the board. After Cornelia and Wosleger reached, Hajjar drove in Cornelia with an RBI double. Giannini then tripled home Wosleger and Hajjar to make the score 3-0.
 
The Gaels scored a run in the second and then again in the third inning. Iona tied the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the fourth inning as Bobby Vitulano scored on a groundout. James Beck put the Gaels on top, 4-3, with a single to short. Iona added a run in the fifth inning and scored three more times in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Fairfield rallied in the top of the ninth. With one out, Ryan Donovan got the Stags started with a pinch hit single. Cornelia followed with a single while Wosleger singled home pinch runner Mike Maschi. Hajjar followed with an RBI single of his own to pull the Stags within 8-5. Iona was able to get out of the jam as the Stags stranded two runners.
 
Matt Marley posted the win, tossing 5.0 shutout innings of relief, and scattering four hits. Mark Bordonaro took the loss, allowing four runs on nine hits in 4.0 innings.
 
Fairfield returns to action on March 27 when Quinnipiac University visits Alumni Diamond. The Stags then head to the University of Hartford on March 28 before resuming MAAC play March 31-April 1 at Saint Peter's College.