FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In a classic MAAC pitching duel, it was host Siena that broke through in extra innings to take a 4-2 decision over Fairfield University Baseball in 11 frames on Friday afternoon at Cook Field. Ben Alekson spun a six-hit, one-run gem for the Stags over the first seven innings of the contest.
 
Alekson's pitching line included seven strikeouts, one walk and one hit batter with just one extra-base hit among the six knocks he scattered over seven innings. Matthew Grabmann (3-2) was effective for much of his 3.2 innings of relief but was ultimately saddled with the loss. Kevin Kell got the final out of the top of the 11^th to complete the effort.
 
Siena scratched out the game's first run in the top of the first inning. Gavin Thornburn was hit by a pitch to start the game, moved to second base on a Sean Camacho sacrifice bunt and came around to score on an RBI single for Jake Sparks. Alekson then quelled the threat by inducing a double play ball to end the inning.

Despite the Stags getting a man on in each of the first seven innings – including four runners to third base – the 1-0 margin held into the eighth inning with Alekson going pitch-for-pitch with Siena starter Alistair Morin for 5.1 innings and reliever Tyler Sausville for 1.2 frames.
 
In the eighth, TJ Schmalzle led off with a double and JP Kuczik worked a walk to chase Sausville from the game. The first batter to face new pitcher MarkAnthony Glickman was Nolan Colby, who laid down a textbook sacrifice bunt. Colby hustled down the line to reach safely on an error, and the ball got away from Siena first baseman Richie Paltridge to plate Schmalzle and tie the game at 1-1.
 
That score remained into the 11th inning, which began with a walk to Sparks who was promptly sacrificed into scoring position by Owen Pincince. A come-backer to Grabmann marked the stanza's second out but also moved Sparks to third. Noah Brooks followed with a double to push Sparks across and put the Saints in front. Aidan Paradine added a two-run two-bagger in the inning, sending Siena to a 4-1 lead, three outs from victory.
 
Luke Nomura got the Stags going in the home half with a single up the middle, followed by a Matthew Bucciero walk that sent Glickman to the pine and brought in Sebastian Bentz from the bullpen. Liam McIlroy greeted him with a walk to load the bases, and Schmalzle skied a fly ball that accounted for the first out of the 11th but also allowed Nomura to tag and score. However, Bentz retired the next two batters he faced – stranded the tying runs in scoring position – to shut the door on a 4-2 final.
 
Matt Lussier was the lone Stag with a two-hit day, while Nomura, Kuczik, Schmalze and Tyler Kipp each had a knock. Schmalzle's sacrifice fly was the only Fairfield RBI of the day.
 
Morin scattered three singles and five walks over his 5.1 innings while compiling six strikeouts. Glickman (1-0) earned the win with 3+ innings of relief and Bentz's save was his second of the campaign.
 
The Stags and Saints will continue their three-game MAAC series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch from Cook Field. Sunday's series finale is also set for 1 p.m.