JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The Fairfield University Baseball team won their fourth-straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series and did so convincingly with a three-game sweep of Saint Peter's. The Stags scored a combined 25 runs in Saturday's doubleheader with wins of 17-1 and 8-2 on the day. The victories bring Fairfield's conference record to 9-3, the highest number of wins among teams in the MAAC. The wins also represented Fairfield's 14th in their last 16 outings.
Game One: Fairfield 17, Saint Peter's 1 (7 innings)
The Stags (19-14, 9-3 MAAC) scored in all but two innings in the seven inning contest, highlighted by a seven run sixth. Fairfield built their lead just two batters into the game as
Tim Zeng started the game with a leadoff single and then stole second,
Justin Guerrera would drive him home with a RBI double.
Zeng would be the focal point of Fairfield's next two runs in the third as he drove a two run double with the bases loaded.
Dylan Reynolds singled home a run in the fourth and
Tom Ryan would follow with a run scoring double.
Fairfield's biggest inning came in the sixth as they scored seven times.
Tom Ryan would have the first big hit with his second RBI double of the game.
Nick Weyant recorded his first collegiate hit, a pinch hit RBI single. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, Guerrera would bring home Weyant with a single.
Jack Gethings would bring home a pair with a single, followed by a Mike Handel sacrifice fly and a Reynolds double.
With more than enough run support,
Michael Sansone cruised for his third win of the season. The freshman tossed six innings allowing just two hits and striking out six.
Game Two: Fairfield 8, Saint Peter's 2
The two teams played even through the first six innings, bringing a 2-2 score into the seventh. The Stags would break the game open in that frame as they plated five runs to bring the score to 7-2.
Mike Caruso and
Tyler Gambardella started the rally as both were hit by pitches to begin the frame. Zeng would bring in the first run after reaching on an error.
Dan Ryan added a run with a bases loaded walk and
Dylan Reynolds followed with a fielder's choice to bring in another run.
Tom Ryan would cap the scoring with a RBI single.
The Stags added a run in the ninth after
Jack Gethings tripled to start the final frame.
Dan Ryan would bring home Fairfield's eighth run with a RBI groundout.
Ian Halpin picked up the victory after tossing two scoreless frames in relief. The junior entered with two outs in the fifth with runners on first and second and would strikeout the first batter he faced looking to end the threat.
Zeng led all players with an incredible .636 average in the series, which included a .765 on base percentage. He would go 7-for-11 with six walks, four doubles, and five runs scored.
As a team, the Stags hit .333 in the series while scoring 32 runs.
Fairfield will host a pair of midweek contests in the upcoming ledger, starting with a meeting against Fordham on Tuesday at 3:30.
