PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Fairfield University Baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning and had the tying run at third but could not complete the comeback as they fell to Saint Joseph's 4-3 in the midweek opener on Tuesday. Blake Helmstetter tossed the first four innings without allowing an earned run and eight different Stags tallied a hit in the setback.
 
Saint Joseph's scored the first four runs of the game, starting off with two unearned runs in the first before adding a two-run homer in the eighth.
 
The Stags managed to rally in the ninth by cutting a 4-0 deficit to a 4-3 score and also loading the bases. Nick Sturino started the rally with a one out walk which was followed by a Matt Lussier hit by pitch and a Paul Catalano walk. Payten Wawruck had the biggest hit of the frame with a two-run double to center to put the score at 4-2.
 
After the Hawks got the second out, Dean Ferrara was intentionally walked and Matt Bergevin worked out a bases loaded RBI free pass to put the Stags down a run. Saint Joseph's managed to get the final out, however, ending the threat with the Stags stranding the bases loaded.
 
In total, the Stags stranded nine runners in the game, with five coming in the first two innings. The Stags were aggressive on the base paths with four stolen bases with Ryan Strollo, Ferrara, Catalano, and Ethan Hibbard each swiping a bag.
 
Strollo led the Stags with a pair of base knocks. Helmstetter tossed the first four innings, surrendering just the two unearned runs in the first. Kyle Lesler fired 3.2 innings in relief striking out five.
 
The two teams will close out the series in Philadelphia tomorrow at 1pm.