POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University Baseball team pounded 11 hits and scored nine runs as the Stags took the series finale against Marist with an 9-3 final score.
JP Kuczik led the offense with three hits, three RBI, and three runs scored.
Matthew Bucciero also added a pair of hits with two RBI, two walks, and three stolen bases.
Kyle Lesler picked up the win with six strong innings striking out a pair. The game would end in the bottom of the ninth due to weather.
"
Kyle Lesler gave us a solid start," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "Bucciero and JP got big hits which should be highlighted."
Fairfield scored seven of their runs in the first three innings, starting with four in the top of the first, all with two outs. Bucciero would walk to start the rally followed by a single by
Tyler Kipp and a walk to
TJ Schmalzle to load the bases. Kuczik would bring everyone home with a bases clearing double to left that put Fairfield ahead 3-0.
Nick Sturino would bring Kuczik home with a RBI single and complete the scoring in the first.
The Stags would score another two-out run in the second as Bucciero singled home
Nolan Colby to extend the Fairfield lead to 5-0.
Sturino would add a RBI in the third as he pushed a safety squeeze towards the pitcher, plating Schmalzle. The Stags added another two-out run when Kuczik scurried home on a wild pitch.
Bucciero added another RBI single with a hit through the right side and put the score at 8-1 in the sixth.
Fairfield had to get out of a jam in the seventh as Marist loaded the bases with one out.
Will Youngman came in for relief and held Marist to just a sacrifice fly while getting out of trouble with a fly out.
Seven different Stags recorded base hits, led by Kuczik's three. Fairfield also drew nine walks and totaled 19 baserunners in the contest. Bucciero and Sturino each picked up a pair of hits and RBI.
Fairfield will return home for the final homestand of the season, starting with a weekend series against Niagara on Friday. The Stags will also celebrate Senior Day prior to Saturday's contest beginning at 12:30pm.
