FAIRFIELD, Conn. – If there is one thing that we have learned from the 2019 Fairfield University Baseball team it's that they will keep you on the edge of your seats. This afternoon was no different as centerfielder
Dan Ryan threw out the game-tying run at the plate in the top of the ninth in securing a 6-5 victory over the visiting Fordham Rams, the team's 15th win in their last 17 outings.
Eli Oliphant secured the win to bring his season record to a perfect 4-0 and
Nick Grabek earned his eighth save of the season, moving him into sole possession of second place on the program's single season list.
The Stags (20-14) did not get a hit until
Giacomo Brancato broke up Fordham's no-hitter with a solo homer to right center to leadoff the five-run sixth inning for the Stags.
Fairfield would load the bases as the next three batters reached base with a
Tom Ryan single and hit by pitches to
Mike Caruso and
Tim Zeng.
Justin Guerrera would bring home one run with a sacrifice fly and
Jack Gethings would follow with a run scoring single.
Anthony Boselli walked to reload the bases and the Rams still could not find the strike zone as a walk to
Dan Ryan forced in the fourth run of the inning. The Stags would get their final run of the frame, scoring on a passed ball after a strikeout.
After Fordham tied the game in the eighth, the Stags mounted another rally in the bottom half of the frame. The Stags would load the bases again with a Gethings single and a misplayed Boselli sacrifice bunt. Brancato would give the Stags the lead with a RBI groundout, making the score 6-5.
Fordham would get the first two hitters on and after a wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position. That started the dramatic final sequence. Fordham's leading hitter Jake MacKenzie lined a 3-0 pitch right to the centerfielder Ryan who unleashed a strong throw home that beat the runner who had missed touching the plate initially.
Only fittingly,
Dan Ryan would be the Stag to catch the final out in straightaway centerfield.
Grabek's eight saves are not only the second most in single season for the Stags, it brings him to a fifth place tie on the career saves record for Fairfield.
Gethings was the lone Stag to tally multiple hits as he recorded two of the four for the Stags.
The Stags will be back in action tomorrow when they host crosstown rivals Sacred Heart at 3:30pm.
