CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After more than a week in the Tar Heel state, it's time for the Fairfield University baseball team to wrap up their stay in North Carolina. They will do so when they travel to Charlotte to take on the Conference USA representative of their trip with a three-game series against the Charlotte 49ers that begins on Friday at 3pm. The first-ever series between the two teams will continue on Saturday with two nine-inning games as part of a doubleheader starting at 1pm.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags pitching held their own in the two losses to No. 8 NC State, as Fairfield surrendered just four runs in both contests. Starters John Signore and Mike Bonaiuto combined to allow just one earned run in their eight innings of work while striking out six batters. The staff also held the Wolfpack to just three walks in the series. All six pitchers did a good job in holding two-time ACC Player of the Week Chance Shepard who managed a 2-for-8 showing against the Stags after coming into the week second in the nation in homers. On the offensive side, Kevin Radziewicz and Troy Scocca led the team with each recording a .500 batting average and a .556 on-base percentage.
IT'S NOT OKAY TO STEAL: After recording just 31 steals last season, the Stags have already swiped 16 bags in their 18 attempts this season which ranks 19th in the nation. Fairfield went 3-for-3 in their two games against the Wolfpack and has been successful on 89 percent of their steals, compared to a 61 percent clip last season. Michael Conti leads the team with three swipes, but five other Stags have stolen at least two bags.
SCOUTING THE 49ERS: Charlotte will be playing in their 13th home game of their 14-game season during the season opener and bring in a 6-7 overall record into the series. The 49ers are a very fundamental team and are known for doing the 'little things' right. Charlotte ranks eighth in the country in double plays, 18th in sacrifice bunts, and 45th in hits. On the offensive side, freshman Reece Hampton has been the talk of the Queen City, as he brings in a 13-game hitting into the contest which spans his entire early career. Logan Sherer, who had a .370 batting average in the final 30 games last season, has continued that hot stretch and leads the team with a .400 batting average and ranks 33rd in the country with 22 hits.
On the hill, lefty Sean Geoghegan will start the series for the home side. The redshirt junior was named to the NCCSIA Second Team after his first season as the Friday night starter leading the team with six wins and a 2.46 ERA. In his three starts this season, Geoghegan has notched a 1-2 record with a 2.79 ERA. Sunday's starter will be another lefty in sophomore Josh Maciejewski, whose father coincidentally played at the Stags' last opponent NC State. The lefty brings a 1-2 record into the series but pitched a shutout against Toledo in February.
UP NEXT: The Stags will return to another warm climate, but this season that warm climate is back in the Northeast. Fairfield travels to St. John's on Tuesday at 3pm on ESPN3.
