NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Matthew Grabmann tossed four shutout innings in relief and
JP Kuczik drove in the eventual game-winning run as the Fairfield University Baseball team started their three-game set with a 6-5 victory over Iona. Fairfield improves their conference-leading record to 11-2 and have now won 11 of their last 12 games overall.
"Grabmann had a hard two-seamer and slider today," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "
Matthew Bucciero had a long home run to center. There were many hard-hit balls by both teams that were right at people.
JP had the clutch single up the middle in the eighth after we sacrificed the runner to scoring position."
Kuczik's big hit came in the top of the eighth with the score deadlocked at 5-5.
Tyler Kipp started the frame with a single and was pinch ran for by
Jack Byrne.
Nick Sturino laid down the bunt on the first pitch of the at-bat setting up Kuczik's clutch hit. The catcher singled up the middle and Byrne was able to score to give the Stags (24-8; 11-2 MAAC) the lead.
The Stags had to take the lead three separate times in the contest with Iona battling back each time. Fairfield recovered from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game up in the third.
Nolan Colby led off the frame with a triple to left center and was immediately brought in by a
Dean Ferrara ground out.
The Stags took their first lead in the next frame with a two-out RBI single from
Sean Meth, plating Sturino.
Fairfield then had to battle back from a 3-2 deficit and did so in the top of the fifth. Ferrara started the rally with a one-out double and
Luke Nomura followed with a single. Bucciero brough everybody home with a long three-run homer to center, his fifth of the season and the 25th of his career. He becomes one of just seven Stags all-time with 25 career long balls.
Grabmann was able to stifle the Iona bats the rest of the way, facing the minimum through his four innings surrendering only an intentional walk while striking out a pair. The right-hander recorded his fourth win of the season and needed just 44 pitches to get through four.
The Stags improve their conference-leading record to 11-2 and will look for their 24th-straight conference series win when they face the Gaels in the middle game on Saturday at 5pm.
