FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Baseball team split a Friday doubleheader with Marist by taking the opener 4-0 but falling in the nightcap 4-3. The Fairfield starting pitchers were dominant in the outings by each going 6.0 innings and combining to allow just one run. Offensively,
JP Kuczik led the Stags by reaching base six times on three hits, one homer, and three RBI.
Game One: Fairfield 4, Marist 0
For the first time this season, the Stags shutout an opponent while allowing a season-low three hits in a 4-0 victory in the season opener.
Ben Alekson started the pitching duel allowing just two hits in six shutout innings. Alekson settled in after a traffic-filled first inning where he loaded the bases on a single and two walks. He threw 32 pitches in that opening frame and needed just 54 pitches over his next five frames. During that span, he surrendered just two base runners on a hit and a walk.
The Fairfield bullpen would preserve the shutout starting with
Jimmy Mulvaney who gave two strong innings in relief, including getting an emphatic strikeout with two on to end the eighth inning.
Nick Kelly finished the game on a 1-2-3 ninth inning needing just six pitches.
On the offensive side, the Stags got RBI from three student-athletes starting with a
JP Kuczik soft single into center field with two outs.
Nolan Colby launched a long home run into right center field and
Matthew Bucciero finished the scoring by legging out a RBI double in the seventh.
Game Two: Marist 4, Fairfield 3
The Stags scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings while loading the bases in the final inning with one out but could not score and came up just short with a 4-3 final.
Harrison Engle went a career-high 6.0 innings striking out four and allowing just one run. He ended his day in emphatic fashion, freezing the hitter on a 3-2 breaking ball to complete the sixth.
The Fairfield defense was locked in behind him as he rolled two double plays in his outing. He also provided some defensive execution by fielding a safety squeeze and getting the runner trying to score from third.
Kuczik provided the first offensive punch for the Stags with a leadoff homer in the second. The homer was his fourth of the season and gave the Stags a 1-0 advantage.
The 1-1 score would stay until the top of the seventh as Marist scored three runs starting back-to-back bunt singles and a double into right that plated a pair.
Fairfield started their rally, getting a run back in the eighth as Kuczik one-hopped the left center field wall to score Bucciero. It was the sixth time in the doubleheader that Kuczik reached base.
The Stags added another run in the ninth as
Nolan Colby laced a double down the right field line scoring
Jake Haarde all the way from first. Colby also reached base six times on the day with three hits and three walks with a homer and two RBI.
Fairfield would load the bases bringing the tying run to third and the winning run to second with one out but could not find the big hit.
The split brings Fairfield's MAAC record to 17-9 and their overall record to 23-20. The two teams will play the rubber game on Sunday with first pitch at 1pm. Prior to the start of the contest, the program will honor the 14-member graduating Class of 2026 and Head Coach
Bill Currier with a special ceremony starting at 12:20pm.
