HARRISONBURG, Va., - Fairfield University Baseball catcher
Ethan Hibbard slugged two home runs and drove in four but it was not enough as the Stags were edged by James Madison, 10-9 on the road. Hibbard was one of three Stags with multiple hits with
Dean Ferrara collecting a team-high four and
Matt Lussier picking up a pair.
Hibbard's big day started right in the opening frame as he drilled a 1-2 pitch over the centerfield wall for a three-run shot, his first of the season.
Fairfield would regain their three-run advantage in the second with a
TJ Schmalzle sacrifice fly that brought in Lussier to put the score at 4-1.
The Dukes would keep on fighting back and cut the lead to one with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame. Hibbard would get one of those runs right back with a long solo shot to the opposite field in the third.
JMU's Coleman Calabrese would tie the score with back-to-back solo homers in the third and the fifth to put the game at 5-5.
Schmalzle would pick up another key hit with a two-out, two-run single in the sixth to put the Stags back up by a pair.
The home side had their biggest inning in the seventh as they plated five runs to grab a 10-7 lead. Fairfield would try and rally and got within a run.
Nick Sturino started the rally with a one out single and got into scoring position with a stolen base. Lussier would bring him all the way around with a RBI single. Pinch hitter
JP Kuczik brought him home with a RBI double down the right field line. However, JMU would get the final out with a grounder to strand the tying run at second.
Fairfield would go in order in the ninth to complete the 10-9 score.
Ferrara had his third multi-hit game and brought his average up to a team-high .474 with four base hits. Hibbard's two homers gave him six extra base hits on the season and brought his slugging percentage to 1.133. Lussier reached base four times with two hits and two walks while scoring three times and increased his on-base percentage to a team-best .583.
Jack Erbeck had the best outing among the relievers with a perfect eighth inning. Through 2.1 innings and three appearances this season, the lone runner he has allowed has come on a strikeout and wild pitch.
The Stags and the Dukes with play the middle game tomorrow at 2pm.
