EDISON, N.J. – Fairfield University Baseball freshman right-hander Ben Alekson was named both the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Pitcher and Rookie of the Week after his dominant outing against Niagara on Saturday. Alekson shut down one of the league's best offenses in leading the Stags to a win and clinching a series victory, the program's 19th-straight MAAC series win. Fairfield now sits in first-place in the MAAC with an 18-3 conference mark.
 
In his first career MAAC start, Alekson fired seven shutout innings against a team that entered the weekend leading the conference in runs scored. He allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out a career-high eight batters. The eight strikeouts are the second-most by a MAAC pitcher against the Purple Eagles this season.
 
The freshman allowed only two singles and retired 10-straight batters after opening the game with a hit batter.
 
For the season, Alekson lowered his ERA to 3.86 while also posting six victories, the second-most on the team.
 
The Stags will look to continue their momentum and secure a conference-record fourth-straight regular season championship when they host Quinnipiac this weekend.