VESTAL, N.Y. – The Fairfield University Baseball team combined for five home runs with a pair coming from
TJ Schmalzle in a doubleheader split at Binghamton. The Stags dropped the first game 12-6 before responding with a 5-1 victory in the nightcap.
Luke Nomura,
Nolan Colby, and
Carter Grande also went deep for the Stags.
"I'm happy with the bounce back in game two with our pitching, defense, and bats coming alive," Head Coach
Bill Currier said. "TJ hit a bullet home run the other way to open up the lead. The relievers threw strikes and linked together strong innings."
Game One: Binghamton 12, Fairfield 6
Nomura started the power display in the very first inning in the opener taking the first pitch he saw the other way for his fifth homer of the season. The shortstop would also drive in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third to bring his team-leading RBI total to 22.
Schmalzle would begin his big day with RBI double to left in the third, plating Colby who had reached base with a single.
The Stags would lead 3-1 after their at-bats in the third but would surrender six unanswered runs. Colby brought the Stags back in the game with a three-run shot in the fourth, but the Bearcats plated five in the bottom half to put the game out of reach.
Game Two: Fairfield 5, Binghamton 1
For the second-straight game, the Stags launched a home run in the top of the first, this time it was Schmalzle out of the leadoff position who launched a 2-2 to center.
Binghamton would tie the game in the third on a sacrifice fly, but the Stags would respond with two more long balls. Grande's second collegiate homer was a solo shot in the fifth that gave Fairfield a 3-1 advantage.
Schmalzle capped his career day with a two-run long ball to left, completing his three-hit game.
Brendon Miller picked up the win with four solid innings, striking out seven and allowing the lone run. His season ERA is now at 2.73 with 34 punch outs in 26.1 innings.
Hunter Hoxie came in relief and fired 1.1 hitless frames and was relieved by
Jimmy Mulvaney who struck out both hitters he faced.
Ryan Maiorano finished the game by striking out the side in the seventh.
Schmalzle led the Stags with four hits, four RBI, and three runs scored in the twin bill.
The Stags will return home for a quick one game homestand when they host Yale on Tuesday at 3pm.
