NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Matthew Bucciero lined a two-out, two-run triple to break a tied score and complete a ninth inning rally as the Fairfield University Baseball team scored eight runs in their last at-bats for a 15-11 win at Yale and extending their winning streak to eight-straight.
The Stags (20-7) saw themselves trailing by four going into the top of the ninth before erupting for eight runs on just three hits.
Pinch hitter
Liam McIlroy started the frame with a walk and
Connor Scanlan followed with a single.
TJ Schmalzle would reach base on a fielding error to load the bases with nobody out. The reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week
Nolan Colby would bring in a run with a walk and
JP Kuczik followed with his own bases loaded walk.
Dean Ferrara beat out the throw in a would-be double play to cut the deficit to 11-10 and
Luke Nomura's walk loaded the bases.
Sean Meth would tie the game on another fielder's choice, setting the scene for Bucciero's heroics with two outs. The cleanup hitter had the biggest hit of the night as he lined the pitch the other way to give the Stags a 13-11 lead.
Fairfield extended their lead with another Yale error and a
Matt Lussier RBI single.
Kevin Kell got the win by keeping the lead and retiring all six batters he faced to close out the 15-11 win.
The Stags originally gave up the lead as Yale Bulldogs scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to grab an 11-7 lead.
After Fairfield extended their lead to 7-4 on a
Nick Sturino RBI groundout, Yale tied and took the lead with a seven-spot in the seventh. Jeff Pieranton had the biggest hit for the Bulldogs with a two-run double and another run would score on a throwing error.
The Stags scored the first six runs of the game highlighted by a five-run second inning. Schmalzle doubled the Fairfield lead with a RBI double through the left side.
Billy Sullivan would drive him home with a perfectly executed bunt past the pitcher.
Sean Meth had the biggest hit of the frame with a two-run single up the middle. Bucciero closed the frame with a sacrifice fly.
Ten different Stags tallied a hit led by three from Bucciero. Fairfield's eight-game winning streak is currently the fourth-longest in the nation.
Fairfield will return home to host crosstown rivals Sacred Heart for a three-game set starting on Friday at 3pm.
