Box Score

NEWARK, N.J.  – The Fairfield University baseball team fell to NJIT, 10-6, this afternoon at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
 
Sophomore Sebastian Salvo went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI while classmate Sal Ciccone went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Junior Ryan Plourde extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in his last at-bat of the day and has now reached base in 23 consecutive games.
 
The Stags staked rookie starter Aaron Howell a four-run lead with a strong first inning. With one out, Jack Giannini  walked while Anthony Hajjar moved him over to third with a single to right field. Giannini then scored on a defensive error which allowed also Plourde to reach. Salvo then cleared the bases with a double off the centerfield wall for the 3-0 advantage. With two outs, Keith Skinner singled to left field to drive in the Stags' fourth run of the inning.
 
The Highlanders (8-14) broke through in the bottom of the third inning with a six-run effort. After pulling within 4-2, NJIT loaded the bases with no outs. That's when Scott Brosman stepped to the plate and delivered a grand slam over the left field wall to put the Highlanders on top, 6-4.
 
Fairfield (8-15) countered in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Mike Maschi doubled home Ciccone to pull the Stags within a run. With two outs and the bases loaded, Plourde drew a walk to force in Maschi and tie the game. NJIT was able to escape the inning without any further damage.
 
NJIT broke the stalemate in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-run double by Jeff Peterson. The Highlanders then added another run on a Fairfield error for the 9-6 lead. NJIT made it a four-run advantage in the bottom of the sixth on another Stags error.
 
Howell went a scheduled 2.0 innings and allowed just three hits in his third start of the season. Sophomore Andrew Gallagher took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, in 2.0 innings of work.
 
Fairfield returns to action this weekend when the Stags host league foe Saint Peter's University, April 6-7, in a three-game series at Alumni Diamond.