FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Baseball team will continue their busy month with a pair of mid-week games on the ledger as the Stags host NJIT on Tuesday at 3pm and then travel to face the Black Knights on Wednesday at 3:30. Fairfield is coming off a series win against Siena where the pitching staff combined for a 1.93 ERA with six different hurlers recording a scoreless appearance.
 
The Stags shutout the Saints in the rubber game of the series behind Kyle Lesler, who allowed a lone hit and struck out six in six shutout innings. Out of the bullpen, Blake Helmstetter, Peter Phillips, Jimmy Mulvaney, and Grant Smeltzer all tossed a scoreless inning. Ben Alekson got the momentum started with seven-strong innings with just one run allowed in the opener.
 
At the plate, TJ Schmalzle led the offense with a team-best .500 average and 1.000 slugging percentage. The outfielder also scored five times, launched a home run, stole four bases, and drove in five.
 
The series win was their 21st-consecutive conference series win and Fairfield's 5-1 MAAC record puts them on top in the early MAAC standings.
 
The Stags also lead the MAAC in nine different statistical categories including ERA (4.58) and WHIP (1.38). Dean Ferrara enters the week leading the MAAC with 39 hits and his 1.9 hits per game ranks sixth in the nation.
 
NJIT enters mid-week action with a 13-10 overall record after sweeping UMBC over the weekend. Ray Ortiz is the team's top-hitter with a .353 average, six homers, and 20 RBI.
 
The Stags will then visit an Army West Point team who holds a 9-12 record and a 4-3 mark in the Patriot League. Addison Ainsworth leads the team with a .329 average and 21 RBI.
 
Fairfield will stay on the road for a five-game road trip including a MAAC visit to Buffalo for a three-game set this weekend.