SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Fairfield University baseball team fell to Seton Hall University, 6-2, this evening at Owen T. Carroll Field. Senior Ryan Plourde went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs for the Stags while Sal Ciccone went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Seton Hall's first batter of the day, Derek Jenkins, was hit by the first pitch of the game and came around to score on an infield single by Kyle Grimm. The Pirates (37-11) pushed another run across the plate on a fielder's choice by Chris Selden to make it 2-0. Seton Hall added three more runs before the opening inning came to an end.
With one out in the top of the fourth, Alex Witkus gave the Stags their first base runner of the day as he poked a single through the right side. Plourde followed with a walk but Seton Hall was able to turn the double play to end the threat. Rob LoPinto led off the fifth inning by reaching on an error but the Pirates got a strikeout and turned their second double play of the day to get out of the inning.
The Stags kept Seton Hall off the board until the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners at first and third with two outs, an errant throw down to second base on a steal attempt allowed Grimm to trot home to make it 6-0.
Ciccone picked up Fairfield's second hit of the day with one out in the sixth. Dean Sadik followed with a double to the left field corner to put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Plourde roped a single to centerfield to clear the bases and pull the Stags within 6-2. Plourde was able to steal second base but the Stags left him stranded.
Fairfield put two more runners on in the top of the eighth inning as pinch hitter Brendan Tracy singled and Ciccone bunted for a base hit. Seton Hall flashed their leather once more and got out of the inning unscathed.
All six of the Pirates were unearned. Jeremy Soule (2-2) was charged with the loss while Anthony Elia (2-2) picked up the win, going 6.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts.
The Stags received some effective pitching. Tim Duggan went 1.1 innings of hitless relief while Christian Fox and Mike Bonaiuto each tossed a hitless inning of relief. Andrew Gallagher retired the Pirates in order in the sixth while Kyle Dube while faced the minimum in the seventh. Joe Randall struck out two of the three batters he faced in the eighth.
Fairfield (28-21) hosts its regular season finale against Marist College, May 16-17, on Alumni Diamond. The two teams are slated for a single game on Friday at 3pm followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 12pm. Prior to first pitch on Saturday, the Stags will honor their senior class.
