FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In their last three games the Fairfield pitching staff has recorded a 1.23 ERA and are holding opponents to an even .200 batting average. The Stags will look to continue that momentum when they travel to New Rochelle, N.Y., for their second MAAC series of the season as they take on the Iona Gaels. The three-game series begins with a single game on Friday at 4pm followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 1pm, with the rain date on Sunday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Fairfield continued their pitching success by allowing just eight hits and two earned runs in a doubleheader split with host Yale. The Stags took the first game 2-1 after the trio of Ryan O'Connor, Peter Horn, and Mike Bonaiuto limited the Ivy League batting average and runs leader to one run on four hits. The lone offensive spark came off the bat of Kevin Radziewicz who laced a two-run double in the first inning, giving the Stags a lead they would not relinquish. However, the pitching of the Bulldogs was the story in the second game, allowing just one Fairfield hit and would eventually win the game on an unearned run in the sixth.

FAIRFIELD VS IONA: The Stags hold a slim 67-64-1 advantage over the Gaels and that margin became even smaller last season after Iona took two out of three against the Stags in the first games played at Alumni Diamond. Jake Salpietro led the returning Stags with a hit in each of the three games and Mac Crispino put in two in the lone Fairfield win. The Stags bullpen did not allow a run in their 4.2 combined innings of work with Mike Bonaiuto leading the pen with 2.2 scoreless innings.

THE GAELS SCOUTING REPORT: Iona was picked to finish just above the Stags in the preseason poll and began their MAAC campaign with a series win against Marist. As usual the offense is led by Travis Mistretta as the two-time MAAC Second Team selection is tops on the team in average (.322), homers (thee), and RBI (26). The bullpen has been the story so far for the Gaels as closer Alex Fishberg has been one of the better relievers not only in the conference but also in the region as the senior has posted a 1.08 ERA in his 12 appearances. Before this season, he appeared in a total of 18 contests in his three seasons.

UP NEXT: The Stags will have just one mid-week game this week when they travel to UCONN for a meeting with the Huskies on Tuesday at 3pm.