EDISON, N.J. – The reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions, Fairfield University Baseball team was tabbed as the preseason favorites by earning 12 of the 13 first-place votes by the conference's head coaches. Senior Matthew Bucciero headlined a trio of Stags with All-MAAC Preseason awards as he was selected the conference's Preseason Player of the Year. Senior Luke Nomura and junior Ben Alekson also received preseason honors.
 
"After graduating only half our innings off the pitching staff, I am a little surprised by the respect earned from the league coaches," Head Coach Bill Currier, who will be entering his 15th and final season said. 
 
The Stags tied a single-season program record with 39 wins last year, with the three biggest coming in the MAAC Tournament en-route to capturing the MAAC Championship and NCAA Regional bid.
 
The title was Fairfield's second in school history and their third NCAA Regional appearance, their first since their At-Large selection in 2021.
 
Bucciero was named the MAAC Championship's Most Outstanding Player as he tallied multiple hits in all three games and scored the game-tying run in the top of the ninth inning in the championship game. Overall, the All-MAAC First Team selection finished second in the conference with 15 homers and 67 RBI while also leading the team in: slugging percentage (.633), on-base percentage (.462), and stolen bases (21), all tops in his career.
 
"Matt has put up very good power numbers for three years now," Coach Currier said. "He's one of the most dangerous hitters and top all-around athletes in the MAAC."
 
The senior is already the program's all-time leader in RBI (168), while placing second in total bases (365) and runs scored (165). He was rewarded with an All-Northeast First Team selection as well as All-ECAC honors.
 
Nomura also had a breakout season, finishing second in the conference with 81 hits and 65 runs scored while placing third with 141 total bases. He recorded a career-high .332 batting average while also posting personal bests in: hits, runs, home runs (14), RBI (52), walks (47), doubles (16), on-base percentage (.443), slugging percentage (.578), and stolen bases (16). He was named an All-MAAC First Team honoree and was chosen to the MAAC All-Championship team.
 
Fairfield's ace Alekson is also coming off an All-MAAC First Team season during his sophomore campaign. The right-hander tied a single-season program record with nine wins while leading the MAAC in WHIP (1.12) while finishing second in ERA (3.34) and strikeouts (84). He was a three-time MAAC Pitcher of the Week and won nine-straight decisions. He was also awarded an All-Northeast Second Team nod.

"All three players are returning First Team selections and are ready to improve on areas of their game in order to lead their teammates into another successful season for the Stags," Coach Currier said. "The three are not only capable athletes for these preseason selections, but are quality young men we are fortunate to have on our team to lead their teammates."
 
Fairfield highlighted their historic 2025 season with their second MAAC Championship and third NCAA Regional appearance. The Stags tied a program-record with 39 wins which included a 21-8 record in conference. The Stags have won 30 or more games in six-straight full seasons and have four of the last five MAAC Regular Season Championships.
 
Fairfield will be going in the 15th and final season under Coach Currier, who has won 398 games in a Fairfield uniform. The Stags will open up the 2026 season in the same place where they ended 2025 with a visit to the NCAA Championship Runners Up Coastal Carolina on Friday, February 13 at 4pm.