FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Baseball team will host the Rider Broncs to kick-off a season-long seven-game homestand at Don and Chris Cook Field. The Stags and the Broncs represent two of the top-three teams in the MAAC in the current standings. Fairfield is coming off a big series win at Merrimack to push their conference record to 9-3.
 
Three Stags batted over .300 in the series against Merrimack, led by Nolan Colby who amassed a .571 clip with a .727 on-base percentage. He launched one homer and drove in a pair.
 
After returning from an injury, Zach Stephenson went 3-for-9 with a pair of doubles. Rounding out the trio was Connor Scanlan who hit an even .300 with three RBI.
 
JP Kuczik led the power department with a pair of homers, both coming in the series opener. His most dramatic was a go-ahead two-out, two-strike homer in the top of the ninth that proved to be the game-winner.
 
On the rubber, Ryan Maiorano picked up saves in both victories to bring his season total to six. He is already tied for fourth on the program's single-season list four behind the top-spot. He also ranks second in the MAAC and 15th in the nation.
 
Fairfield will also maintains the lowest ERA in the conference at 3.96, a number that ranks in the top-25 in Division I. Ben Alekson is the leader with a 1.85 ERA which is second in the conference and top-40 nationally.
 
Rider brings a 17-10 overall record and a MAAC-leading 12-3 conference record. The Broncs have won all five of their conference series this year most recently taking two out of three from Marist. Kyle Neri is the team leader with a .397 average and a 1.040 OPS. PJ Craig leads the staff with a 3.30 ERA while Christian Aiello has already picked up seven wins.
 
The Stags will stay at Don and Chris Cook Field for a homestand that lasts nearly two weeks, with their next game coming on Tuesday at 3pm against Columbia.