Box Score


POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University baseball team was edged by Marist College, 4-2, this afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at McCann Field. Junior Ryan Plourde went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, extending his on-base streak to 30 games.
 
Marist (18-12; 9-3) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after a pair of errors allowed Zach Shank to score. The Red Foxes added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Joey Aiola and a sacrifice fly by Matt Pagano for the 3-0 lead.
 
Fairfield (10-20; 3-9 MAAC) broke up the shutout in the top of the seventh inning. Plourde led off with a single and advanced to third on a single by Jack Giannini. Plourde then scored on a single by rookie Jake Salpietro. A sacrifice bunt by Mike Bennett moved the runners up 90 feet but Marist was able to get out of the inning.
 
In the top of the eighth inning, Plourde delivered a two-out double to score sophomore Alex Witkus (North Attleboro, Mass.) and pull the Stags within 3-2. In the bottom half of the inning, Marist got the run back on a sacrifice fly. Fairfield threatened in the top of the ninth, putting two on with one out, but Marist got out of the jam with a game-ending double play.
 
Sophomore EJ Ashworth (1-3) went 7.0 innings, scattering three runs, two earned, on seven hits while striking out four batters in the loss. Marist's Rich Vrana (3-1) picked up the win after allowing just one run on five hits with four strikeouts in 6.1 innings while Chris Napolitano picked up the save after tossing a scoreless ninth.
 
Fairfield travels to UConn on April 16 before returning home to host Northeastern on April 17.