FAIRFIELD, Conn. – All season long the Stags have surprised some of their MAAC counterparts, most notably with their 11-4 conference record which has them in a first-place tie in the standings. This weekend they have a chance to make a statement. The two current first-place teams in the league will battle on Alumni Diamond as the Stags host the defending MAAC Champions Canisius, in a three-game series starting noon on Saturday. The finale will take place on Mothers' Day at noon.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Five Stags tallied at least a pair of hits, but Fairfield could not get the big hit, stranding 14 runners in an 8-4 weekday loss to NJIT. Drew Arciuolo and Mac Crispino led the Stags with three hits apiece and Brendan Tracy scored two runs and drove in a tally in the defeat. The Stags cut into a 4-0 deficit by picking up runs in the fourth and sixth innings with a Tracy sacrifice fly and a Tyler Gambardella single. Both teams were aggressive offensively, with only four combined strikeouts in the contest. Four of the five Stag relievers did not allow a run in their appearances, with Brendan Harkin leading the way with two perfect innings.
GOING FOR 900: With one more victory, the 2016 Fairfield Stags will achieve some more history. In the 63 years of the program, the Stags have a current record of 899-1181, making the team one victory shy of the 900-win mark. The Stags have already clinched their fourth 20-win season in Bill Currier's five-year reign and are six MAAC wins shy of tying the program conference win record of 17 victories in 2000.
FAIRFIELD VS CANISIUS: This will be the 57th meeting between the two schools, with the Stags holding a slim 29-27 lead in the series. In the five seasons under Head Coach Currier, the Stags are 7-5 against the Golden Griffs, taking three of the past four series. The eventual conference champions, took two from the Stags last season, but both of those victories were by one-run, including a walk-off two-run shot with two strikes and two outs in the ninth inning in the opener. Kevin Radziewicz and Crispino lead the Stags with three hits in the last series and Aaron Howell hurled six innings, allowing three runs (one earned) in his start.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GRIFFINS: The Griffs are enjoying their own conference winning streak, taking their last five decisions. Unlike prior seasons, the strength of this particular Canisius squad comes on the mound. The Griffs lead the MAAC with a 3.64 team ERA and a .251 opponent batting average. Of the three projected weekend starters, Nolan Hunt leads the trio with a 2.58 ERA and an unblemished 3-0 record. Their biggest arm, however, comes in the pen in senior Iannick Remillard, who broke the team's all-time saves record earlier this season. In 2016, Remillard is second in the country with 14 saves. Offensively, Anthony Massicci has been the sparkplug of the team. A preseason All-MAAC selection, Massicci is second on the team with a .314 batting average and is second in the league with 19 stolen bases.
UP NEXT: The Stags will have another conference challenge when they travel to another potential first place team in the Monmouth Hawks. The road swing starts with a noon doubleheader on Saturday.
