Just when it looked like the blustery weather and Niagara’s hard-throwing pitchers would both continue to keep the Fairfield baseball team cold Sunday afternoon, its hitters suddenly caught fire.
Tom Arpino’s ’06 game-winning base hit in the bottom of the seventh inning completed the Stags 6-5 comeback victory over Niagara at Alumni Diamond in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader. Fairfield rallied from five runs down during the final three innings to defeat the Purple Eagles.
“I just tried to hit the ball hard,” said Arpino, who went 1-for-3 for the game. “In the end the game came down to execution and our ability to move runners.”
The Stags could not execute during the first game Sunday. Niagara pitching held Fairfield to only seven hits en route to a 6-2 victory.
The Stags initially came out cold in game two, being no-hit by Niagara starter Josh Sawatzky during the first four innings. But in the fifth inning, the Stags started to swing back by being patient and getting on base.
“We knew Sawatzky did not handle himself well when there was pressure on,” said Fairfield Head Coach John Slosar. “As soon as we got our first hit of the game you could see him change. We were able to take advantage of that in the latter stages of the game.”
Dewey Raymond’s ’06 line-drive double down the left field line got the Stags’ extended rally started in the fifth inning. After Raymond doubled, Arpino was hit by a pitch and designated hitter Dave Soucy ’05 walked to load the bases. Leftfielder Adan Chilelli ’08 then singled in Raymond. After a sacrifice fly, shortstop Doug Anderson singled in another run to cut the Purple Eagles’ lead to two runs.
Raymond’s single tied the game and set the stage for Arpino to be the hero.
The Stags beat Niagara 6-4 Monday to win the series, and improve to 7-8 in the MAAC. Their 4-1 loss to Army Tuesday dropped them to 9-27 overall.
Fairfield improved to 8-26 overall and 6-8 in the MAAC.
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