POMONA, N.Y. – Nolan Colby and
JP Kuczik each connected on three-run homers to spark an eight-run third inning leading the Fairfield University Baseball team to a 13-3 win over Sacred Heart to advance in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships. The Stags will move on to tomorrow where they will play the winner of the Rider and Quinnipiac matchup.
"I thought our hitters did a good job of staying patient early and getting pitches to hit," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "We did a good job of being selective and got some big hits with
Nolan Colby and
JP Kuczik each hitting homers. We got a number of good hits with a lot of runners on base."
The Stags (37-17) showed their patience in the second inning when they drew four walks, leading to three runs on just two hits. Kuczik got the inning started with a single to center and would be sacrificed to second by
Nick Sturino. After a strikeout, the Stags would build a two-out rally leading to all of their runs in the frame.
Dean Ferrara grounded a chopper that hit off the third base bag and loaded the bases.
Luke Nomura and
Tyler Kipp each worked out bases loaded walk as the Stags got on the board to lead 3-0.
The biggest inning for the Stags came in the third as they tallied an eight-spot. Colby launched a three-run shot off the right center field wall to double the score at 6-0. Fairfield would load the bases again on singles by Ferrara, Nomura, and
Matthew Bucciero setting up another big two-out rally.
TJ Schmalzle singled up the middle to drive in two and Kuczik cleared the fence and brought everyone home with a three-run homer.
Ben Alekson was in control for the first few frames allowing three singles over the first four innings and leading to his ninth win of the season. His nine victories is now tied for the most in a single-season in program history.
The Stags added their 13th run of the game in the bottom of the sixth with a Nomura RBI single to put the score at 13-3. Fairfield converted the 10-run rule as
Brendon Miller recorded a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the win.
Ferrara, Nomura, Bucciero, and Kuczik all tallied multiple hits while all nine starters scored a run. Fairfield will now advance in the winner's bracket when the play the winner of No. 1 Rider and No. 6 Quinnipiac later today.
