FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Through 70 years and now 1000 wins, the Fairfield University Baseball program has seen a lot of exciting wins, but nothing quite like what they have been a part of over the last month. The Stags recorded the program's 1000th and 1001st victories as they swept another MAAC doubleheader, this time with two wins over the Rider Broncs by scores of 8-3 and 10-0. Michael Sansone and Jake Noviello earned the wins on the mound and Justin Guerrera stayed red hot at the plate, crushing a home run in both ends of the doubleheader.
 
"It's great for the program and where Fairfield baseball has gone through the years," Head Coach Bill Currier said. "I think it's a good tribute to the program and hopefully we keep adding to that total."
 
 
Game One: Fairfield 8, Rider 3
 
Michael Sansone was the Stag to record the victory in Fairfield's 1000th win as the left hander tossed 5.2 innings in Fairfield's seven inning victory.
 
The southpaw was staked to a four run lead after the Stags put up a four spot in the bottom of the first. Dan Ryan started the scoring with a home run to left, his third round tripper of the season. The turning point of the inning, however, came when Charlie Pagliarini lifted a fly ball to center field that was misplayed by the Rider centerfielder and dropped in for a three base error. Justin Guerrera would come around to score on the error. Matt Venuto followed with a two run double to give Fairfield a 4-0 advantage.
 
The Stags quickly added to that total with two more runs in the second, highlighted by a home run by Guerrera to put Fairfield up 6-0.
 
Rider would chip away with three runs in the sixth and continue to threaten with a runner at third, but Tristan Amone got the final batter to fly out to end the jam.
 
Pagliarini would add an important insurance run in the bottom half of the frame and Josh Arnold finished the game with a hitless seventh.
 
Seven different Stags recorded a hit in the series opener, with Mike Handal and Ryan leading the way with two hits apiece.
 
 
Game Two: Fairfield 10, Rider 0
 
Going against one of the top pitchers in the MAAC, the Stags continued their red hot approach at the plate, batting around in the very first inning. The Stags would score four runs on five singles and two walks. Sean Cullen opened the scoring with a RBI single and would be followed by a run scoring single by Mike Becchetti. Mike Caruso nearly cleared the bases with a grand slam but his long fly ball tipped off the outfielder's glove next to the wall and he was credited with a RBI single. Ryan Strollo capped the scoring in the first inning with a RBI single.
 
Guerrera would continue his sizzling start at the plate with his eighth home run of the season, a long ball that hit the top of the fence and went over. Guerrera's eight home runs are already tied for fifth on the program's all-time list despite playing in just 12 games.
 
In total, the Stags got 13 base runners and seven runs against the Rider ace Pete Soporwoski, a left-hander who surrendered just 15 base runners and two earned runs in 22 innings coming into the contest.
 
Griffin Watson barely missed a three run homer in the fifth as his two run double hit off the top of the wall. Pagliarini would triple in another run in the sixth and Caruso brought him home with a single.
 
That was plenty of runs for Jake Noviello who went the distance in the seven inning game on a four hit shutout, striking out seven and walking just one. The junior would retire the last six batters he faced, including striking out the side in the sixth. He allowed just one ball to reach the outfield in his final three innings, a leadoff single in the sixth.
 
Fittingly, Guerrera would have a big part in finishing the game for the Stags as he lined a RBI double into left in the bottom of the seventh with Fairfield's 10th run crossing the plate. The 10-run rule would come into effect and the Stags would move their record to a perfect 12-0.
 
Every Stag starter got a hit in the nightcap, with five different players recording multiple hits.
 
Ryan led the Stags with four hits in the doubleheader and Guerrera paced the Stags with four RBI and four runs scored.
 
Through 12 games, Guerrera is batting an even .500 with eight homers, 23 RBI, and 19 runs scored.
 
The Stags will look to continue their momentum when they close out the series with Rider with another doubleheader starting at noon on Saturday.