FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Baseball team erased a 9-0 deficit to tie the game at 10-10, but the Manhattan Jaspers responded with four runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 14-10 decision against the Stags at Alumni Diamond.
Ethan Hibbard provided the big blow in the comeback attempt with a grand slam in the seventh.
The Stags (17-12, 7-2 MAAC) fell behind quickly as the Jaspers, who were the designated home team at Alumni Diamond, scored nine runs in the bottom of the second. The Jaspers scored those runs on just two extra base hits, capped off by a two-run homer by Trevor Hansen. Manhattan was aggressive in the frame with four hits on the first pitch of the at-bat.
Fairfield started their comeback effort with three runs in the sixth, starting the rally with two outs and nobody on.
Mike Handal and
Matt Bucciero began the rally with two-straight singles.
Paul Catalano brought in the Stags' first run with a single to right center. Hibbard would beat out an infield single to put the score at 9-3.
The Stags would stay within striking distance as
Blake Helmstetter got a key strikeout with the bases loaded in the bottom half of the inning.
Fairfield would take advantage with another two-out rally in the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Bucciero would bring in a pair with a single through the left side. Catalano would walk to reload the bases, setting up Hibbard's dramatics. On a full count, Hibbard skied the eighth pitch of the at-bat over the trees in left field for a grand slam and cut the deficit to 10-9.
The Stags would tie the game in the eighth as
Charlie Pagliarini split the defenders in left center for a RBI double.
Fairfield could not keep the game tied for long as Manhattan's Daniel Perez lined a two-run homer and Trevor Hansen brought home two more with a double.
Mike Handal and Bucceiro paced the Stags with three hits apiece. Hibbard led the team with five RBI.
Jake Memoli had the longest outing of any of the six pitchers for the Stags, going 3.1 innings allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three.
The Stags are back in action on Alumni Diamond in a non-conference game against Quinnipiac on Tuesday at 3pm.
