LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Fairfield University Baseball team used home runs to tie the game in the eighth and take a two-run lead in the 11th but could not shut the door as they fell to the Rider Broncs 4-3 in 12 innings. Ty Gilligan drove in the game-winning run for the Broncs in the 12th after
Ryan Strollo launched a go-ahead two-run shot in the 11th.
A day after erupting for 17 runs on 22 hits, the Fairfield bats couldn't get going against the Rider staff as they tallied just one hit through the first seven innings. Rider starter Frank Doelling was able to quiet the Fairfield bats with seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
Bryson Cafaro would match Doelling pitch for pitch during his five innings of work, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. He would surrender that lone hit in five innings while striking out three.
After getting a leadoff walk, the Broncs were able to plate their first run of the game in the sixth with John Volpe lining a single up the middle. Rider would turn the ball over to their closer Cal Stalzer who would silence the Stags until one big swing in the eighth.
Matt Bergevin provided the biggest hit for the Stags with a solo shot off Stalzer to tie the game at 1-1.
The Stags bullpen tossed five-straight scoreless innings, started by a pair from
Nick Grabek. The reigning MAAC Pitcher of the Week,
Colin McVeigh would then enter and give the Stags three innings of scoring relief, keeping the game at 1-1 heading into the 11th.
Griffin Watson would start a two-out rally with a walk which gave Strollo a chance for the Stags and he took advantage by launching a two-run homer to right to give the Stags a 3-1 lead.
The Broncs wouldn't go quietly and would tie the game in the 11th and loaded the bases without recording an out.
Jason Hebner was called upon to keep the Stags alive and he got out of the bases loaded no out jam to head to the 12th.
Fairfield could not go any further, however, as the Broncs would walk-off the next inning with a Gilligan RBI double.
Bergevin and Strollo launched long balls for the second-straight game with Bergevin tallying his team-best sixth of the spring.
The two teams are back in action for the rubber game on Sunday at noon.