Fairfield baseball (6-11) dropped the rubber match of a 3 game series to Siena College (6-14), Sunday afternoon, at Alumni Diamond.

Although starter Jeremy Soule ‘15 was able to bring a no hitter into the fifth inning with a 2 to 0 lead, the Saints plated four runs in the sixth to go ahead and capped it off with five more in the ninth in their 9 to 3 route of Fairfield.

Second-year Manager Bill Currier said that despite Soule’s strong start, defensive and pitching breakdowns were what to blame for the Stags loss.

“We seem to be giving runs all in one of two innings,” said Currier.  “They’re just giving up too many.”

Fairfield’s bats were clicking as captain left fielder Jack Giannini ’13 and right fielder Billy Zolga ’15 both went 3 for 4 on the day and combined for the day’s first run off a RBI-single from Zolga.  However, the stags struggled with runners in scoring position with only 5 hits in 18 attempts.

Siena’s bullpen was the difference-maker late in the game as their two relievers combined for 4 innings, allowing just 1 run.

Fairfield relievers were ineffective, allowing two back to back home runs in the ninth, Anthony DiMauro ‘15 allowed the first three-run shot to Siena’s Mike Fish and the second solo-home run was allowed by Andrew VanEyck ‘14.  The Stags’ bench was warned after the first pitch to VanEyck’s second batter sailed high and tight.

“They brought relievers into the game that did well also … you’ve got to give them credit,” said Currier about Siena’s bullpen.  “They had pitchers come in that threw 2 or 3 pitches for strikes and we didn’t do that, we came in with one pitch and that’s why their guys were sitting on pitches to jack out of here.”

Going into the ninth, Fairfield was trailing by just two runs, with the top of the order due up in the bottom half of the inning.  A balk, a stolen base and a walk, were able to help Siena score their final five runs with two outs, blowing the game open and putting a comeback out of reach for Fairfield.

After striking out looking to end the game, and what was a 1-2-3 bottom nine for Fairfield, Captain Anthony Hajjar ‘13 was tossed by the home plate umpire after a confrontation over the called third strike.  This is known as a post-game ejection, and Hajjar will have to sit the next game, according to Currier.

Fairfield’s young pitching staff will need their defense to plug the holes exposed by Siena and their hitters will need to perform with men on base if they are looking to take their next MAAC series against Rider.

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