FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the first time in program history, the Fairfield University Baseball team will play in a contest as a nationally ranked team. The No. 23 Stags will take the field this weekend when they host Siena for a four-game series starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.
A big reason for the Stags historic success this year has been the hard work and dedication of their senior class. The program will celebrate the commitment and contributions of their 11 seniors before the noon doubleheader with their Senior Day ceremony. The Class of 2021 have helped build a foundation of success that has included a MAAC Regular Season Championship, a program record of 35 wins in 2019, and the program's first-ever national ranking in Baseball America.
The Stags remain the only unbeaten team in the country as they enter the series with Siena with a perfect 25-0 record. That success has been recognized nationally as the Stags earned their first ever national ranking, slotted 23rd in Baseball America. The Stags also are ranked 28th in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and are receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Fairfield is coming off another series sweep, taking their first weekend road series with Manhattan.
Mike Handal led a Fairfield offense that scored 55 runs and hit .347 as a team over the four games. The junior hit .526 (10-for-19) while scoring 11 runs and driving in nine RBI. His week was highlighted by a two homer game in the opener where he also drove in a career-high six RBI. For that success, he was named the MAAC Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Three starting pitchers took the victories in the series with
Michael Sansone,
Jake Noviello, and
John Signore all picking up the wins. Sansone went the longest of the starting staff, hurling six innings while allowing two runs and striking out five in the opener. The win brings his season record to 5-0, tying Noviello with the team lead.
Noviello enters the weekend third in the MAAC in ERA (1.64) and the conference leader in opponent's batting average (.181). That has helped the Fairfield pitchers hold the national lead in ERA (2.63) and WHIP (0.97).
Signore also picked up a win in the Manhattan series, marking his 21st win of his career. Signore is now tied with Keefe Cato '79 for the program's all-time record in wins. Signore holds a career 3-0 record with a 2.05 ERA against the Saints.
The Saints enter play off a four-game sweep of Saint Peter's where they out-scored the Peacocks 39-2. Pitching dominated over the series with two pitchers receiving weekly awards. Freshman Connor Bovair, who will be starting game one, was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week after striking out 17 batters in seven innings. Arlo Marynczak was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Week after tossing the third no-hitter in program history.
The Stags will next close out their regular season as they hit the road to face Niagara next weekend starting on Saturday.
