ARLINGTON, Va. – Matthew Bucciero drove in five runs including a grand slam to cap an eight-run fourth inning while
TJ Schmalzle picked up a career-high four hits and three RBI as the Fairfield University Baseball team out-slugged George Washington for a 12-10 final score, clinching their third series win of the season. The Stags collected 15 base hits in the victory and have now put together 33 base knocks through the first two games of the series.
Bucciero started the scoring with a RBI double to left in the first inning with
Tyler Kipp following with a RBI groundout to give the Stags an early 2-0 lead.
The Revolutionaries would respond with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the first and two in the third to grab a 6-1 advantage.
The Stags would have their best inning of the season in the fourth as the plated eight runs on five hits. Kipp and
Nick Sturino would begin the frame with back-to-back singles to put a pair on base. Schmalzle would bring home the first run of the frame with a single down the left field line. Sturino would then score on a throwing error and
Dean Ferrara would plate another run by reaching on a fielder's choice.
Luke Nomura would work out a walk, loading the bases and setting the stage for the biggest moments of the game.
Sean Meth would work out a bases loaded walk – his fourth free pass of the two games – to bring in another Fairfield run.
After a pitching change, Bucciero crushed a 1-0 pitch over the centerfield wall for his first career grand slam and giving the Stags a 10-6 lead.
The Stags would add insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings with a pair of Schmalzle RBI hits.
George Washington cut into the Fairfield lead with three runs in the eighth but
Kevin Kell got out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts. Kell would earn the save with a hitless ninth, forcing a ground ball double play to end the game.
Five different Stags tallied multiple-hits led by Schmalzle's four and Bucciero's three.
Matthew Grabmann was credited with the win with 3.1 solid innings in relief. Fairfield will look for their first series sweep of the season tomorrow at noon.
