AMHERST, Mass. – This was a day that
Charlie Pagliarini will never forget. The Fairfield University Baseball infielder set the program's all-time career home run record as he blasted a go-ahead grand slam for the 36th homer of his career. To add to that accomplishment, he drove in a career-high seven RBI, leading the Stags to a 10-9 victory over UMass in the final non-conference game of the season.
Evan Berta earned the win on the mound as he led the nine Fairfield pitchers with two hitless innings.
Jack Erbeck picked up his third save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
"It feels great to set the record," Pagliarini said. "It means a lot knowing I'm able to help the team win any way I can. I have such a great group of guys behind me and I'm really looking forward for the upcoming games."
Pagliarini drove in the first two runs for the Stags, the start of his career-high seven RBI showing. His sacrifice fly to left in the first inning plated the game's first run. He also singled to right to drive in
Noah Lucier in the third.
After the Stags tied the game at 3-3 with a Lucier RBI infield single, Pagliarini would highlight his career day. The senior launched a homer over the right center field wall for a go-ahead grand slam, marking his historic 36th homer of his career.
Fairfield would increase their lead to 10-3 in the sixth on a RBI groundout by Pagliarini and a RBI single by
Matt Bergevin.
UMass would score five runs in the sixth without a hit to edge closer.
Grant Smeltzer would settle things down in the sixth and was helped by hitless innings from
Billy Fitzgerald and Erbeck. Erbeck was dominant in the ninth striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Lucier led the Stags with four hits and three runs scored. With his career day, Pagliarini now has 20 homers and 80 RBI this season. He entered the day third in the nation in RBI per game and 14th in homers per contest.
Lucier, Pagliarini, Bergevin,
Matt Bucciero, and
AJ Donofrio all had multiple hit games. The win improves Fairfield's record to 31-16 overall before their final series of the season as they host Iona for a three-game set starting Thursday at 2pm.