After going on the road to defeat the Sacred Heart University Pioneers (16-24, 8-7) and the Stony Brook University Seawolves (23-15, 13-5) earlier in the week, the Fairfield Stags returned home and lost their first weekend conference series against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference leading Canisius College Griffins (21-20, 14-4).

In game one, Fairfield fell behind early on and could not fight out of the early hole, as they fell to Canisius 9-2.

Fairfield starter Austin Pope ‘20 had a rough start, throwing five innings, giving up eight hits, and allowed six earned runs. Pope gave up three runs in the first inning, putting the Stags offense in a 3-0 hole before they even had a chance to hit.

Fairfield cut the lead to 3-2 in the third inning when Justin Guerrera ‘22 and Anthony Boselli ‘19 both doubled in runs. A two-run single by Canisius right-fielder Mark McKenna broadened the Canisius lead to 5-2, crushing Fairfield’s momentum.

Canisius starter Andrew Sipowicz threw seven innings, allowing seven hits and only two earned picking up the win in game one. In game two, Fairfield evened the series, winning a close battle 3-2.

Fairfield was powered by their starter Michael Sansone ‘22, who threw a seven-inning complete game, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out five. Fairfield jumped out to a 3-0 behind Tom Ryan ‘19, who scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch in the second inning and than padded the lead even more with an RBI single in the third inning. Junior Dan Ryan also drove in a run with an RBI single of his own.

In the rubber game, Fairfield blew a late lead, as Canisius rallied to take the series, winning 8-3. Fairfield got a good start from Trey McLoughlin ‘21, who threw four innings, allowing one earned and striking out five.

Junior Eli Oliphant got the Stags within one out of closing out the series before an error by Griffin Watson ‘22 kept the game alive for Canisius. Canisius capitalized on the second chance, scoring six unearned runs turning the game around from a 3-2 deficit to an 8-3 lead.

Fairfield’s offense was dormant all day, except for their three run sixth inning, powered by Dylan Reynolds ‘20 and Ryan, who were responsible for each of the three runs scored. Fairfield will look to get back on the right track when they take on the the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders (13-21, 5-13) on Tuesday, April 30 and the Hartford University Hawks (13-26,7-8) on Wednesday, May 1. Fairfield will then close out the week by going on the road to take on the Niagara University Purple Eagles (10-27, 5-10) in their second-to-last conference series of the year on Saturday, May 4.

 

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