EDISON, N.J. – The Fairfield University Baseball team, winners of three-straight MAAC Regular Season Championships, has been picked for another successful season as the Stags were voted the preseason favorites in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Poll. The Stags, who received five first place votes, also had three representatives on the Preseason All-MAAC squad with
Matt Bergevin,
Colin McVeigh, and
Matt Bucciero earning the honor.
"We are proud of our success the past multiple years and that it has earned the respect of the MAAC coaches by collectively ranking Fairfield in the first spot preseason," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "However, with so many changes in rosters through the transfer portal, it is especially hard to really know the true abilities and talent in the league until the end of May."
The Stags became the first program in MAAC history to win three-straight MAAC Regular Season crowns after posting 37 wins in 2023 and a 16-5 conference mark. It marked the third-straight season that the Stags have posted 30 or more victories.
Fairfield found their success last season by having one of the most prolific offenses in MAAC history. The Stags finished in the top-10 in the country in: scoring (9.4 runs per game), slugging percentage (.540), on-base percentage (.424), and batting average (.321).
The Stags also hit the most home runs by any MAAC team in conference history with 97 while also scoring the second most runs in a single-season.
Fairfield lost a lot of that offensive production from last season which incudes 67 percent of their home runs, 63 percent of their hits, and 62 percent of their RBI total.
The Stags will rely on their trio of Preseason All-MAAC talent with Bergevin, McVeigh, and Bucciero.
"Our three preseason selections have earned the right to be there from their success in previous years in the league," Coach Currier said. "They are our team's leaders both on the field and off as fine examples for the work they have put in to make themselves the best at their respective positions."
Bergevin is the team's returning offensive leader after posting a career-high .363 batting average with nine homers and 44 RBI. He finished in the top-5 in the MAAC in both average and on-base percentage (.470). He ended the season with momentum after recording a hit in all five of the MAAC Championship games with a .412 batting average and a MAAC All-Tournament team selection.
McVeigh is coming off a breakout campaign on the mound where he posted an 8-1 record with a 3.93 ERA. The right-hander won his first eight decisions and went six or more innings six times. He also struck out 76 batters in 75.2 innings while punching out five or more in seven starts. For his success, he was name to the All-MAAC First Team while also rewarded with an All-Region and All-New England Second Team honor.
Bucciero had one of the best rookie seasons in the conference last year after hitting .322 with five homers and 40 RBI. He tallied 18 multi-hit games including three contests with three base knocks. For his success, he was named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team.
The Stags will begin their 2024 campaign at UNC Greensboro on Friday at 4pm.
