Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score


DELAND, Fla. – The Fairfield University baseball team split a day-night doubleheader with Stetson University at Melching Field. The Hatters topped the Stags, 5-1, in the first game but Fairfield came from behind for an 8-7 victory in the night cap.
 
Junior Ryan Plourde was a combined 4-for-8 on the day with two RBI while Sal Ciccone was a combined 3-for-6 and delivered the game-winning hit.
 
The second game was a back-and-forth battle. Junior Rob LoPinto led the game off with a walk and later scored on a single by Plourde to give the Stags a 1-0 lead. Stetson countered with a three-run effort in the bottom half of the inning to overtake Fairfield. The Stags got one of the runs back in the top of the second inning as LoPinto came through with a two-out RBI single to plate Alex Witkus and pull the Stags within 3-2. In the third inning, Anthony Hajjar earned a lead-off walk while Plourde tripled him home to knot the game at 3-3.
 
Fairfield regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Witkus drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a groundout by LoPinto. Mike Bennett followed with a single to left field to drive in Witkus. The Stags weren't able to hold the lead as Stetson scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to go on top, 7-4.
 
Fairfield mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, senior Jack Giannini singled while Billy Zolga bunted for a base hit. Freshman Keith Skinner then doubled down the left field line to score Giannini and pull the Stags within 7-5. With two outs, Stetson got a groundball off the bat of Witkus but a throwing error allowed him to reach and allowed both Zolga and Skinner to score to tie the game.
 
In the top of the ninth inning, Zolga led off with a double, advanced to third on a sac bunt, and scored on a single by Ciccone to give the Stags an 8-7 advantage. Senior Kyle Capaldo then retired the Hatters in order in the bottom of the ninth for the victory.
 
Capalado (1-2) threw 3.0 scoreless innings of relief with a walk and a strikeout for the victory. Tyler Warmoth (0-2) took the loss for Stetson after giving up a run and two hits in 2.0 innings of relief.
               
In the opening game, Fairfield took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Skinner reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Maschi. Stetson broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning. James Rasmussen tied it up with a one-out single. Carlos Garmendia put the Hatters ahead, 3-2, with a two-run double with two outs. He then scored on a single by Konner Lutz to make it a three run advantage. Stetson added another run in the bottom of the eighth for the 5-1 lead.
 
Sophomore EJ Ashworth (1-1) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs, on seven hits while striking out three batters in 5.2 innings. Stetson's Joe Dye (2-0) picked up the win after throwing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. Adam Schaly got the no-decision after allowing an unearned run on six hits in 5.2 innings of work.
 
Giannini had hits in both contests to extend his on-base streak to 27 games.
 
Fairfield (4-9) and Stetson (10-8) close out the series tomorrow, March 17, at 1pm.