CONWAY, S.C. – The Fairfield University Baseball team was powered by two home runs by Matt Bergevin and one each from Ryan Strollo and Charlie Pagliarini en-route to a 14-9 victory over Middle Tennessee State, their first in 2023.
 
The two team were tied 7-7 heading into the top of the ninth when the Stags would answer with a seven-spot in the frame. Noah Lucier would begin the rally with a leadoff double and would be brought home with a RBI single by Griffin Watson.
 
Matt Venuto would add another run as he singled home Strollo, who got on base with a bunt single. Pagliarini would drive in two with a double down the right field line to give the Stags an 11-7 lead. Bergevin provided the big blast in the inning as he crushed a three-run homer down the left field line, his second of the game.
 
In total, the first nine hitters reached base safely as the Stags tallied 10 hits in the frame to grab a 14-7 advantage. Emmett Tolis would come in relief in the bottom of the ninth and get the final out to complete the 14-9 victory.
 
The Stags scored the first three runs of the game starting with a creative run in the first. With runners at first and third, Mike Becchetti raced towards second and forced the throw, allowing Watson to steal home for the game's first run.
 
Fairfield added a pair of more runs in the fourth when Bergevin started his day with a two-run homer to center.
 
The Stags would add a single run in the fifth and sixth innings as Strollo and Pagliarini both led off the frames by launching the first pitch of the inning over the wall.
 
Colin McVeigh got the start for the Stags and pitched three scoreless innings before allowing two in the fourth. Jake Memoli allowed just one walk in 1.2 scoreless innings to bring the game to the sixth.
 
Luke Marshall entered the game in the eighth with two runners in scoring position but would end the inning with a groundout to grab his first win as a Stag.
 
Every Stag starter picked up a hit with Watson and Pagliarini leading the team with three. Watson had a productive series as he led the Stags with team-highs with a .467 batting average and seven hits.
 
Bergevin led the Stags with five RBI with his two homers and also scored three times. Pagliarini led the team with four runs scored.
 
After connecting on a program record 75 homers last year, the Stags blasted nine in the first three games of the season.
 
Fairfield is back in action next weekend when they open up a three-game series at George Washington, starting with a Friday afternoon game at 2:30pm.