FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University baseball Class of 2016 has given everything they have had to the program during their college days. After four years of putting countless time in the weight room, running in every kind of weather New England can offer, and of course making the team bonds they will cherish for a lifetime, the Fairfield senior class has the chance to make the next week the best time of their lives. With one more victory, the Stags can clinch at least a share of their first conference regular season championship since 1983, showing the imprint the seven members have made on the program. Most importantly, however, the potential celebration could come just days before they officially receive their college degree. The Stags will celebrate their senior class during the final series of the season when they host Quinnipiac at home. The three-game series will start with a doubleheader at noon on Thursday, followed by the finale on Friday at 1pm. Prior to the final game, the Stags will have their Senior Day, starting at 12:30pm.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags tallied their 12th comeback victory of the season when Mac Crispino clubbed his first career home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The two-run shot turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead, as Fairfield would go on to defeat UMASS 4-2 in their final mid-week game. Crispino's clutch shot was just another statistic tally in what has been a breakout performance over the last 16 games. During that span, Crispino is hitting .328 and is second on the team with 14 RBI. Michael Conti also tallied a RBI single against the Minutemen in the eighth inning. The shortstop is batting a team-high .379 over the same span.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Stags will take the field on Thursday needing two wins in the series to secure the top seed in the upcoming MAAC Championship. However, pending the results of the Marist/Siena and Canisius/Niagara series also slated to begin on Thursday, one Fairfield victory over Quinnipiac could be enough to stake the Stags to the No. 1 seed.
FAIRFIELD VS QUINNIPIAC: This will be the 39th game between the two teams, but without a doubt the most important series between the two Connecticut rivals. Since joining the MAAC, the two squads have split their last two series with the Bobcats taking two-of-three from Fairfield last season. Brendan Tracy put up monster numbers in the series last year going .455 (5-for-11) with four runs scored including a two-run homer in the 8-4 victory.
THE BOBCATS SCOUTING REPORT: Quinnipiac comes into the series needing a series victory to remain in the playoff race which would set tie breakers. The Bobcats are coming off an impressive series win against Canisius, taking the first two contests from the Griffs. Joseph Burns led the offensive attack with his first career multi-home run game against Canisius. Over his last 16 games he has raised his batting average from .218 to .280, recording a hit in 15 of his last 16 games. For the season, he leads the team with seven home runs and 12 doubles. Matthew Batten has a team-high .342 average, setting new career-highs in hits (68) and runs (39). On the rubber, Thomas Jankins has been the ace of the staff with five wins and a 3.16 ERA, striking out 77 batters in 79.2 innings, leading the MAAC in both of those categories.
UP NEXT: The Stags will travel to Fishkill, N.Y., to try and cap off their historic season with their first conference championship since 1995. The day and time of Fairfield's opener will be determined after this week's results.
