NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Strong pitching from starters Michael Sansone and Trey McLoughlin helped the Fairfield University Baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Iona, the first conference series victory of the season. Sansone tossed his first complete game in a 3-1 Fairfield opening victory and McLoughlin went seven shutout frames in a 3-0 shutout in the nightcap.
 
Game One: Fairfield 3, Iona 1
 
Sansone's first collegiate victory was a complete game in the seven inning contest, allowing just one run and striking out three in the opener.
 
The Gaels got their only run and three of their five hits as they began a two out rally in the fifth. Daniel Palermo and Joe DeMaio both singled which set the stage for Brian Picone's RBI single. Sansone would bear down and finish the inning by striking out the next batter looking.
 
The Stags would finally get to Iona pitcher Hunter Sibley in the sixth. Tom Ryan started the rally with a one-out ground rule double. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Ryan would score the tying run as Justin Guerrera reached base with a fielding error that would have ended the inning. Jack Gethings would give the Stags the lead with a RBI double and would score a run the third run of the inning on an Anthony Boselli RBI single.
 
After getting the lead, Sansone shut down the Iona bats surrendering five of his next six batters. Sansone would allow a one-out single in the seventh, but forced a groundball double play to give the Stags their first conference victory of the season.
 
Game Two: Fairfield 3, Iona 0
 
McLoughlin, Ian Halpin, and Nick Grabek combined for a five-hit shutout in the nightcap as the Stags clinched the series victory with a 3-0 final.
 
The Stags got all three of their runs in the fifth, as they loaded the bases with nobody out. Dylan Reynolds started the frame with a double and was joined on the bases by Mike Caruso, who was hit by a pitch and Tom Ryan with an infield single. Tyler Gambardella brought the first runner home as he beat out a fielder's choice to the shortstop. Guerrera had the big knock of the game with a two run single to give Fairfield their 3-0 lead.
 
McLoughlin was impressive over his seven innings, surrendering five hits and three walks. The Fairfield defense also helped keep the Gaels off the board. With runners at second and third and one out in the fourth, Michael Gorman lifted a fly out to right field, Reynolds was able to make the catch and gun out the runner at the plate to end the threat.
 
Iona would tally just one hit in their final five innings.
 
Halpin came in to retire the side in order in the eighth and Grabek followed with a hitless ninth for his third save of the season.
 
Gethings led the Stags with a pair of hits to take over the batting average lead for the team at .390. He also extended his hitting streak to 21-straight games, including all 18 contests this season.
 
The Stags will return home for the first time in the 2019 season when they host Central Connecticut State on Tuesday at 3pm.