FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Baseball right-hander
Colin McVeigh had the most dominant outing of his career as he struck out a career-high 14 batters while allowing a lone hit through eight stellar innings leading to the Stags' 7-1 victory over Canisius in the rubber game. The 14 punch outs are the most by a Stag since Trey McLoughlin matched that total in 2019.
"The story of the day was certainly
Colin McVeigh," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "He threw a very good game and was efficient. He had three pitches going and he certainly commanded his pitches well. I thought we had some key hits to score some runs and it wasn't an easy day to hit with the wind coming in. We did a good job making some barrel contact today."
McVeigh was the star on the rubber as he no-hit the Griffs through the first six innings before surrendering a leadoff single in the seventh. He struck out the side in three different innings and punched out nine of the first 12 batters. The nine strikeouts through four innings already matched his previous career-high. The only base runner he allowed during that stretch came on a throwing error in the second.
The Stags would give McVeigh plenty of run support, as
Luke Nomura opened the third inning with a triple to right center.
Paul Catalano would bring him home for the game's first run with a sacrifice fly.
Fairfield would plate four runs in the fourth, starting with a
Matt Bucciero RBI double. Nomura would follow with a two-run single and Catalano topped off the frame with a hard struck two-run double that hopped over the infield.
Bucciero added a RBI single in the fifth and
Matt Lussier completed Fairfield's scoring with a solo homer in the sixth his second round tripper of the series.
McVeigh's only small blemish came in the seventh as Jackson Strong led off the frame with a line drive single. He would steal second base and advance the rest of the way after a pair of ground outs.
The win increases Fairfield's MAAC record to 5-1, sitting third in the conference. Fairfield continues their 17-game home stand with a pair of midweek contests, starting with a game against Central Connecticut State on Tuesday at 3pm at Don and Chris Cook Field.
