Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn.  – The Fairfield University baseball team was clipped by the University of Hartford, 2-1, this afternoon in non-league action at Alumni Diamond.
 
Freshman Jake Salpietro had two of the Stags' five hits on the day.
 
Sophomore Tucker Panciera got in a little bit of trouble in the top of the first inning, walking in a run after Hartford loaded the bases. But, Panciera pitched his way out of it, striking out a batter and getting a groundball off the bat of Brian Walker for an inning-ending double play.
 
Hartford later took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI double by Chris DelDebbio with one out. The Hawks left the bases loaded as the Stags got out of the jam. Hartford would also leave the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth innings, stranding 15 runners on the day.
 
Hawks starter Sam McKay and reliever Jacob Mellin kept the Stags off the board until the eighth inning. Sophomore Sal Ciccone reached on fielder's choice and then scored on a double by Rob LoPinto to break up the shutout. Justin Robarge, however, retired Fairfield in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for the Hawks
 
McKay (1-0) went six innings, scattering three hits with five strikeouts for the win. Mellin went two innings, allowing Fairfield's only run on two hits and two walks. Panciera (1-2) went 6.2 innings, scattering two runs on four hits and six walks while striking out four batters. Junior Andrew VanEyck threw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief while sophomores Ian Tresser and Anthony DiMauro shut down Hartford in the ninth inning.
 
Fairfield is back in action tomorrow, March 29, resuming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play by travelling to Rider University for a single game at 3pm. The Stags and the Broncs will close out the series with a doubleheader on March 30 at 12pm.