Box Score

DELAND, Fla.  – The Fairfield University baseball team closed out a four-game series at Stetson University with a 7-5 victory this afternoon at Melching Field to come away with a split.
 
Senior Anthony Hajjar went 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk, three runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. Junior Rob LoPinto went 2-for-4 with a run scored while junior Ryan Plourde was 1-for-3 with two RBI.
 
Hajjar put the Stags on the board in the top of the first inning by sending a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence for his first home run of the season. Stetson, however, tied it up in the bottom of the second inning.
 
The Stags loaded the bases to start the top of the sixth inning. Hajjar drove in Fairfield's first run of the frame with a fielder's choice but the Hatters also committed an error on the play allowing another run to score. Plourde then delivered a single to right center to put the Stags on top, 5-1.
 
Stetson (10-9) countered with a four-run seventh inning to retie the game, 5-5. The Stags did not back down scoring twice in the top of the eighth to regain the lead. With two outs and the bases loaded, Senior Jack Giannini gave Fairfield the 6-5 lead with a fielder's choice which plated Alex Witkus. Hajjar added an insurance run for the Stags by successfully swiping home on a double steal attempt.
 
Senior Kyle Capaldo (2-2) earned the victory after coming on in relief and throwing 1.2 scoreless innings. Sophomore Anthony DiMauro notched his first collegiate save by retiring the Hatters in the ninth inning.
               
Sophomore Jeremy Soule received the no-decision in an otherwise solid outing. Soule went 5.2 innings, scattering one run on four hits with three strikeouts.
 
Fairfield (5-9) is slated to play at St. John's University on March 19. The Stags will open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play against Siena College, March 23-24, at Alumni Diamond for Fairfield's first home games of the season.