Box Score

DELAND, Fla.  – The Fairfield University baseball team began a four-game series at Stetson University with a tough 3-2 loss to the Hatters this evening at Melching Field. Three Stags had multi-hit nights, including seniors Anthony Hajjar and Jack Giannini who each went 2-for-5 and sophomore Dean Sadik who was 2-for-4. Giannini extended his on-base streak to 25 games while Hajjar tied former Stag Jason Rago for fifth all-time on Fairfield's career hits chart (188).
 
Freshman Mike Wallace had a solid outing for the Stags in his first collegiate start. Wallace (1-1) went 6.0 innings, scattering three runs, two earned, on six hits with two strikeouts.
 
Stetson (9-7) got on the board in the bottom of the second inning on RBI singles by Garrett Russini and Robert Bruce. Fairfield answered in the top of the third as Rob LoPinto led off with a double and scored on a single by Mike Bennett to make the score 2-1.
 
The Hatters threatened in the bottom of the third inning, loading the bases with no outs. Wallace was able to successfully pitch his way out of the jam to get out of the inning unscathed. Stetson did add a run in the fourth inning after a two-out error by the Stags.
 
Fairfield got a rally going in the top of the seventh inning, putting the first two runners on. After a sac bunt by Bennett, an infield single by Hajjar allowed Alex Witkus to score from third and pull the Stags within 3-2. Ryan Plourde drew a walk to load the bases but Stetson was able to get out of the inning. Fairfield threatened again in the top of the eighth as Sadik reached on an error to lead off the inning and later advanced to third, but the Stags could not bring him in.
 
Fairfield (3-8) and Stetson will play a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. Game one gets underway at 1pm followed by the night cap at 7pm.