CONWAY, S.C. – The Fairfield University Baseball team blasted four home runs but fell short in the 2023 season opener, 14-7 to Coastal Carolina in the Baseball at the Beach. Griffin Watson topped the power barrage as he launched two home runs while Mike Becchetti and Matt Venuto each launched their first homer of the season.
 
Becchetti got the power trend started in the first inning as he launched a 2-1 pitch over the right centerfield wall to give the Stags an early 2-0 lead. The long ball would drive in Venuto who started the two-out rally with a double to center.
 
The Stags, who launched a program record 73 home runs last season, continued their power showing in the fifth as Watson blasted the first pitch of the at-bat over the left field wall. That two-run homer brought the Stags closer at 8-4.
 
Fairfield would also use the long ball in the seventh as Watson and Venuto blasted back-to-back homers to once again keep the Stags within striking distance at 13-7.
 
The Stags tallied 10 hits in the season opener with seven starters getting at least one hit. Becchetti, Venuto, and Watson all tied for the team lead with two hits.
 
Mike Handal reached base three times in his return to the lineup with two walks and a single. Ethan Hibbard also picked up a hit in his first career start.
 
On the rubber, the Stags used seven different pitchers with Kevin Kell and Ryan Smith making their Fairfield debut. Grant Smeltzer and Billy Fitzgerald combined for a scoreless seventh. Jake Noviello made the opening day start allowing one run through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth.
 
Fairfield is back in action tomorrow as they take on VCU at 11am.