CONWAY, S.C. – The Fairfield University Baseball 2025 season came to a close on Saturday as the Stags fell 17-2 to nationally-ranked Florida in an elimination game in the NCAA Conway Regional.
Matthew Bucciero provided the offensive highlight for the Stags with a solo shot to center to tie the game in the fourth. The loss ends a Fairfield campaign that saw the squad claim a MAAC Championship and tie a program record with 39 wins.
"This was a great season for us," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "It means a lot for the school, the recruiting, and puts us on the map because it's national. Everybody knows what's going on with the tournament and to have Fairfield on it is a great tribute to our success. It really puts the word out of Fairfield's success around the country."
Bucciero's blast in the bottom of the fourth tied the game at 1-1 after both teams were scoreless through the first three frames. Bucciero's solo shot was lifted over the center field wall as he became the first player this season to hit a homer over the extended center field wall at Springs Brooks Stadium. He also became the 35th player ever to clear the center field wall, and the second Stag joining
Matt Bergevin two years ago.
Fairfield starter
Bowen Baker kept the Stags in striking distance by tossing three-straight scoreless frames to keep the game deadlocked in the fourth. The left-hander struck out seven batters in those innings in the final game of his collegiate career.
Florida opened the scoring in the top of the fourth with a Blake Cyr solo homer, his ninth of the year. Bucciero tied the game with his team-leading 15th homer of the season.
The Gators would score 16 unanswered runs to take control of the game including an eight-spot in the eighth.
Tyler Kipp capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth.
Luke Nomura led the Stags with three hits while Bucciero and
Dean Ferrara also recorded a base knock. Ferrara ended the season with 99 hits, a new MAAC record.
With the loss, the Fairfield 2025 season came to an end after the Stags claimed the second MAAC Tournament Championship in program history and their first since 2016. The Stags reached the NCAA Regional for the third time and the first time since their At-Large selection in 2021. Fairfield also tied a single-season record with 39 wins to draw even with the historic 2021 squad.
