LUBBOCK, Texas – The city of Lubbock, Texas and the fans who made the second game of the NCAA Regionals got to enjoy the same heart and perseverance we've seen all season long at Alumni Diamond. The Stags would not quit, not by any stretch of the imagination, but in the end the clock finally struck midnight.

The final play closed the book of what was the most exciting and successful season in the history of the Fairfield University baseball program. And although with any loss, the players were obviously upset to see their season end, but the parents who made the 1,800 mile journey to Lubbock, Texas could not be prouder of this team. After overcoming all the doubters, the Stags achieved their goal to prove everyone wrong. So while this 8-5 loss to the Dallas Baptist Patriots will sting for now as it officially eliminated the Stags from their first NCAA Regional, after a few days this team can reflect back on this historic ride.

"All year long we've prided ourselves in never giving up and finding a way," Head Coach Bill Currier said. "As soon as we started to get a few hits you saw that idea resonating through the team."

"That's what we are about," Mike Bonaiuto said. "Never giving up, working hard, and it was an awesome thing. Even though we were down, we fought hard and never gave up."

The Stags were actually down 7-0, and fought back to have the tying run at the plate in a couple instances.

Drew Arciuolo gave Fairfield their first big highlight of the NCAA Regionals and it came in the first inning. With Dallas Baptist's leadoff man at third, Arciuolo caught a ball in shallow centerfield and threw out the runner at home for his eighth outfield assist of the season, ranking him in the top-20 nationally.

The Patriots were able to get their first run in the next frame, however. Matt Duce put the first number on the scoreboard as the Dallas Baptist catcher lined a 3-0 pitch the other way which plated the first run of the game.

The Missouri Valley Champions added to that lead twice in the same frame, mostly by taking the extra base. Trooper Reynolds, for example, lined a single into right centerfield and advanced to second on the throw to try for the runner at third. Reynolds would later score on a Tim Millard RBI double.

For the second-straight game, Brendan Tracy was the Stag to try and start a Fairfield rally, singling to center with two outs in the second. The single was Tracy's third hit in his first five NCAA Regional at-bats. Troy Scocca followed with a walk, but the Patriot's Darick Hall, who was named the MVC Player of the Year because of his offense, got out of the jam with a strikeout.

Dallas Baptist would keep adding on as they got the momentum. Austin Listi executed a perfect 'hit-and-run' play as he scooted a ball past the diving Gethings, and Justin Wall, who was in motion, was able to score.

Dallas Baptist would score in four-straight innings including a towering shot from Hall, their pitcher and best hitter, in the fifth. Hall would also put an exclamation mark on his career day with a homer in the ninth.

Mike Bonaiuto would settle down after allowing the solo shot as he struck out three Patriots in the fifth, after Dallas Baptist took a 7-0 lead. The southpaw gave the Stags a chance to stay in the game as he went 5.2 innings, allowed five hits, struck out four, and gave up just the two home runs to Hall.

As usual the Stags would not go quietly. After Tracy walked and Scocca singled in the fifth, Jack Gethings recorded yet another hustle play. The freshman bounced a ball to the first baseman, but was able to outrun the pitcher to the bag for an infield hit. That proved to be vital as Tim Zeng, who got the start in left, lined a two-run single to chip into the Dallas Baptist lead making the score 7-2. Arciuolo was inches away from bringing in Fairfield's third run when he lined the pitch up the middle but the shortstop Camden Duzenack made a great diving stop to nab the line drive.

Fairfield still had the threat brewing in the frame with the bases loaded and one out, but Hall settled down and struck out Jake Salpietro and got Kevin Radziewicz on a groundout to second.

Fairfield got two runners on with one out in the eighth, chasing Hall after 7.1 innings, and got to reliever Sean Stutzman. With two outs, Scocca lined a single the other way, scoring the third run of the game and tightening the Dallas Baptist lead to 7-3. Fairfield would load the bases in the same frame, but the new reliever Seth Elledge induced a soft ground ball to end the threat.

The Stags had one final rally left in them as Michael Conti and Salpietro reached base in the ninth but the Patriots got Radziewicz on a RBI ground out to put the Stags down to their final out. Mac Crispino grounded a ball that was booted by the second baseman for Fairfield's fifth run but the Stags would not get closer.

With the loss, the Stags become the first team eliminated in the Lubbock Regional, and closing out not only the 2016 baseball season, but Fairfield's athletic year.

"This experience of playing at this level is great for the kids to know they can play here," Currier said. "The most important thing is to have the experience at this caliber and even winning the MAAC is a pretty strong confidence booster for years to come."

"It's been incredible to be a part of," Bonaiuto said. "All the way throughout everyone was good friends and that fed right into us playing better and everyone trusting each other."

In a year that made Fairfield baseball fans believe, the Stags tied a program record with 32 wins, and hoisted the MAAC Tournament trophy for the first time ever. They accomplished this through a belief in themselves, no matter the odds. The Stags will graduate six seniors from this historic team, but the character of the group should continue as Coach Currier and the Stags continue to build a special program.

All we have to do is keep believing.