PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Fairfield University Baseball team almost completed the comeback after falling behind by seven runs in the first inning, but their rally fell short as they dropped a 7-6 decision to Saint Joseph's in the middle game of a three-game series. The Fairfield bullpen combined for 7.2 scoreless frames to keep the Stags in the game.
 
The Stags would allow those seven runs on three home runs in 0.1 innings. Jason Hebner was the first Stag out of the bullpen and settled the game down by striking out the first batter that he faced.
 
Fairfield started their rally in the second with Matt Zaffino providing the long ball for the Stags. His solo shot was the second of the season and put the score at 7-1.
 
Ryan Strollo, who was coming off a three-hit game, registered another two base knocks today including a two-run double down the left field line in the fourth. Tyler Kipp would follow with his first career RBI on a sacrifice fly.
 
Evan Berta continued the rally in the sixth with a RBI double, his first extra base hit of the season.
 
The Stags would threaten in the ninth with Matt Bergevin cutting the Hawks' lead to just one run with a RBI ground out, which also advanced the tying run to third.
 
Saint Joseph's was able to dance out of trouble by ending the game with a ground out.
 
Hebner, Jack Erbeck, Jack Anderson, and Bryson Cafaro combined for 7.2 scoreless frames out of the pen with the quartet allowing just five hits.
 
Berta, Strollo, and Mike Becchetti all tied for the team lead with a pair of hits with Becchetti knocking a pair of doubles.
 
Fairfield and Saint Joseph's will play the rubber game of their three-game set tomorrow at 12pm.