BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Michael Conti hit a three-run double and Jake Salpietro slugged a solo home run in the eighth inning to cut the Fairfield deficit to 9-8, but that would be the closest they came as crosstown rivals Sacred Heart finished off the Stags by a 9-8 score.

Unlike their previous games, the Stags (16-18) got off to a fast start, putting up a three-spot in the top of the first with a two-run double by Mac Crispino and a RBI groundout by Mitch Williams.

The Pioneers (18-14) would take control for most of the remaining innings, scoring nine of the game's next 10 runs, capped by a five-run fifth inning, making the score 9-4. Senior Victor Sorrento cleared the bases with a three-run double and Jesus Medina added a run scoring single later in the frame.

Fairfield attempted their comeback with six outs left in the game, with Salpietro leading off the inning with his sixth home run of the season, which moves him into a tie for the conference lead. Drew Blake and Troy Scocca added singles, and a Tom Ryan walk loaded the bases. With two outs, Conti lined the first pitch he saw down the left field line, scoring all three runners and putting the Stags within one.

However, James Taubl and Alex Perry combined to retire the final four Stags of the game and the Pioneers held on for a one-run victory, the third-straight game in the series decided by a single run.

Scocca and Conti led the Stags with two hits apiece and Conti also reached base three times.

George Molner and Bobby McNiff kept the Stags in the game by striking out four of the 11 combined batters they faced, without allowing a hit.

The Stags will turn their minds back to their MAAC opponents on Saturday as they travel to Saint Peter's, looking for their eighth-straight MAAC victory, which will tie the 1997 squad for the longest conference win streak in 20 years.