You can add another one to the win column, as Fairfield University’s Baseball Team earned its sixth consecutive win against the Fordham Rams on Tuesday, April 18 in front of the fans in Alumni Diamond.

It was a team effort for the Stags as the bullpen lead the way pitching 6.1 innings while only allowing one lone run to the visiting team. Fairfield’s offense was led by Drew Blake ‘18, who went 2-4 with a homer to provide a much needed lift for the Stags, while Jack Gethings ‘19 finished the game batting 3-4.

The Stags got out to a hot start when they scored three early runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Captain Mac Crispino ‘17 got things started for the Stags as he worked a leadoff walk to start the inning. Sophomore Tim Zeng followed up with a single to left. The very next batter was Blake, who reached base on an error by the third baseman, allowing Crispino to score from second base, giving Fairfield the first run of the game.

Captain Michael Conti ‘17 came up to the plate and smacked a single to right field, pushing Zeng home to give the Stags another run. Sophomore Tyler Gambardella followed up with a single of his own, moving Conti to scoring position.

After a pitching change by Fordham, Gethings came to bat and capped Fairfield’s scoring run as he singled to left field, pushing yet another run for the Stags and giving them the early 3-0 lead. “We started out well, we made some contact. He had a little trouble getting his breaking ball over and we jumped on a few fastballs and got the runs across,” said head coach Bill Currier.

Freshman Josh Arnold pitched 3.1 innings while allowing just one run to the Rams. Alfredo Torres/The Mirror

Fordham answered right back in the top half of the third inning against Fairfield’s hurler, Austin Pope ‘20. Pope surrendered three hits in the inning as the Rams scored two runs to cut the deficit down to one. After giving up consecutive walks to Fordham, Currier decided to make a pitching change by bringing in Josh Arnold ‘20 with the bases loaded and no outs.

Arnold came into the game in a sticky situation as the Rams had an opportunity to tie and take the lead, but the freshman hurler had other plans as he struck out the lone batter he faced in the innings, putting an end to Fordham’s comeback effort. “He’s got a good breaking ball and a tough kid that doesn’t get fazed by those situations and that’s just what he did. He threw a couple of real good breaking balls and got out of it,” said the Stags skipper.

Fairfield added a much needed insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Blake stepped up to the plate and launched a laser to right field. “I was just looking for good pitches to hit, he got the first one in on me pretty quick but I timed it up and the second pitch, I put a good swing on it and it felt good off the bat,” said Blake.

The Stags added another run in the fifth inning on an RBI double off the bat of Troy Scocca ‘17, giving them the 6-2 lead after five innings of play. Fordham would go on to score one more run on a home run but Fairfield’s bullpen would limit the Rams for the rest of the game.

Senior Mike Bonaiuto came in the seventh inning to close out the game for the Stags and that he did as he went three innings, allowing no runs, while fanning two Fordham batters closing out the 6-3 victory for the Stags, their sixth straight.

“We’ve just got to keep throwing strikes, playing defense and getting key hits and just keep it rolling,” said Blake on how to carry the momentum. The Stags will be back at Alumni Diamond in hopes of their season high seventh consecutive win on Wednesday, April 18 when they host cross-town rival, the Sacred Heart Pioneers, at 3:30 p.m.

Senior Mike Bonaiuto closed the game out for Stags, pitching three innings of shutout ball while striking out two Fordham batters. Alfredo Torres/The Mirror

 

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