FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The 57th game of the 2016 season will not only set a record for most games played in a Fairfield University baseball season, it will also be the most historic. That's because the journey that started with all the hard work and dedication on Alumni Diamond has led to a once in a lifetime experience as the Fairfield baseball team's journey continues in Lubbock, Texas in the first-ever NCAA Regional appearance for the program. The Stags will open up NCAA Tournament play when they face the host school and fifth-ranked Texas Tech at Rip Griffin Stadium to open up play in the Lubbock Regional. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN3 with first pitch coming at 3pm.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Stags storybook season reached its ultimate climax when the group became the first-ever team in program history to win a MAAC Tournament Championship, and they did so in convincing style. Fairfield set Championship Series records in runs scored (18) and winning margin (16) as they won their third-straight game in the tournament. Jake Salpietro continued his torrid stretch with his third-straight three hit game and was crowned the MAAC Tournament MVP after hitting .692 (9-for-13) with a 1.231 slugging percentage. For his efforts, Salpietro also became the first player in school history to be named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week. Four other Stags were named to the All-Tournament Team with Jack Gethings, Kevin Radziewicz, Michael Conti, and Drew Arciuolo all getting the nod.

ABOUT THE LUBBOCK REGIONAL: The Stags have never faced either of the three teams in their Regional in Texas Tech, second-seeded Dallas Baptist, or third-seeded New Mexico. All of those three schools have one thing in common, as they all hold the Player of the Year in their respective conference. The fifth-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders are coming off their first Big-12 regular season championship since 1997. It will be the first time in program history that these two teams have played each other.

The Red Raiders are hitting nearly .300 as a team, led by the Big-12 Player of the Year in senior first baseman Eric Gutierrez, who leads the squad with 12 homers and 53 RBI. He became the first Texas Tech player in 19 years to win the conference Player of the Year award.

The New Mexico Lobos travel into Texas after winning the Mountain West Conference for the sixth time in the nine years under Head Coach Ray Birmingham. The Lobos also can say they have the conference Player of the Year in Carl Stajduhar who was the Tony Gwynn Player of the Year after .348 with 18 homers and 66 RBI.

Dallas Baptist Patriots claimed the Missouri Valley Conference title after posting a 41-17 record. The Patriots roster featured the MVC Player of the Year Darick Hall who hit an even .300 with a team-high 18 homers and 68 RBI. Colin Poche was named the MVC Pitcher of the Year and claims an unblemished 9-0 record with a 2.02 ERA with hitters batting .209 against the southpaw.

THE RED RAIDERS SCOUTING REPORT: The Red Raiders come into the game with a 41-16 record after winning the Big-12 regular season title for the first time since 1997. After being picked to finish fifth in their conference, Texas Tech won 19 league games, the most since 2001. Besides the Player of the Year in Gutierrez, the Red Raiders three other selections on the All Big-12 First Team, their most since 1997. Sophomore outfielder Tanner Gardner led the team with a .376 batting average and a .487 on-base-percentage. Junior outfielder Stephen Smith was second on the team with nine homers as well as slugging .422. The ace of the staff Davis Martin posted a perfect 8-0 record with a 2.41 ERA.

RADZ-LE DAZZLE: Kevin Radziewicz has been arguably the heart and soul of the Stags and it has been shown with his Second Team All-MAAC honor. Radziewicz's last 11 games can be under the radar, however, as the catcher is batting an even .500 (21-for-42) over his last 11 games.

UP NEXT: If the Stags pull off the upset against the Red Raiders, they will advance in the winner's bracket and take on the winner of the second-seeded Dallas Baptist Patriots and the third-seeded New Mexico Lobos on Saturday at 6pm on ESPN3. If the Stags fall to Texas Tech, they will move to the loser's bracket and play the loser of Dallas Baptist and New Mexico in the first elimination game on Saturday at 2pm.