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TROY, N.Y. – The Fairfield University baseball team had to wait 12 years to return to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship and on Thursday night they had to wait two hours and 15 minutes longer as the Stags opening round game was delayed by rain. Once the rain ended and the game was over, third-seeded Fairfield found itself edged by second-seeded Canisius, 2-1, at Joe Bruno Stadium.
 
After a rocky beginning for both starters, senior Scott Warwick and Canisius' Garrett Cortright settled down as the game evolved into a pitcher's duel.
 
Canisius (32-25) got in the board in the bottom of the first inning taking a 1-0 lead on a bases loaded groundout by Jimmy Luppens. The Stags were able to escape the inning unscathed. Fairfield tied it up in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jack Giannini came through with a single through the right side to drive in Alex Witkus.
 
The Stags (27-27) threatened in the top of the fourth, putting runners at second and third with two outs, but Cortright was able to get the strikeout to end the inning. Canisius put runners at second and third with two away in the bottom of the fifth but Warwick was able to strike out Jesse Kelso to end the frame.
 
Fairfield had a chance in the top of the eighth as Mike Maschi, pinch running for Dean Sadik who was hit by a pitch to start the inning, advanced to third with two outs. Cortright was able to get a groundout to end the threat. In the top of the ninth, pinch hitter Rob LoPinto drew a leadoff walk but was left stranded at first.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, the Griffs loaded the bases with one out to force Warwick out of the game. Facing reliever Kyle Capaldo, the Griffs Jose Torralba was able to lift a 1-2 pitch into right field to drive in the game-winning run.
 
Warwick (3-4) took the loss despite scattering just two runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out seven batters over 8.1 innings. Cortright also received the no-decision after allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts in 8.0 innings. Warwick finishes the year with a 2.60 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 72.2 innings of work.
 
Fairfield will face top-seeded Manhattan College tomorrow at 3pm at Joe Bruno Stadium.