JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drew Blake and Giacomo Brancato drove in runs in the top half of the ninth inning, but the Fairfield University Baseball team's rally fell short at they dropped a 7-3 decision at Jacksonville. The Stags pounded out 10 hits in the setback with nine different student-athletes collecting a base knock, and Blake picking up a pair.
 
Trey McLoughlin started the game for the Stags (4-9) with four impressive innings, holding Jacksonville (11-8) to one run and five hits during that span with three strikeouts. However, the Dolphins were able to extend their 1-0 advantage in the fifth when Angel Camacho tripled in two runs with two outs.
 
The Dolphins would score four runs in the next three innings to grab a 7-1 advantage heading into the final inning. Up to that point, the Stags' lone run came when Jack Gethings hit a sacrifice fly to score Tim Zeng in the eighth.
 
The Stags started a rally in the ninth with Mitch Williams leading off the frame with a pinch hit single followed by Blake's double to drive him home. That run marked the 12th RBI for Blake this season, leading the team in that category and setting a new career-high.
 
Brancato would drive home Blake and Tyler Gambardella would continue the rally with a two out single. The Dolphins brought in their freshman closer Chris Mauloni who would record the final out and tally his ninth save in the early season, tying for the national lead.
 
The Stags will send John Signore to the mound in the next contest in the series on Saturday at 7pm.