While every other Fairfield University student was on spring break, Fairfield University Men’s Baseball traveled down south for their version of “Spring Training,” going 3-5 on the entire trip with wins over University of North Florida, Bethune Cookman University and Savannah State University.
Sophomore Eli Oliphant threw six shutout innings in the 6-0 win over Savannah State. In the 7-3 win over Bethune Cookman, Bobby McNiff ‘19 came in relief, throwing four shutout innings, giving up two hits. Designated hitter Anthony Boselli ‘19 went 2-4 with a three run homerun, giving Fairfield a 5-3 lead which they never looked back from.
In Fairfield’s first game back from spring break, they took on the St. John’s University Red Storm in Queens, New York in frigid temperatures. The cold weather lead to a pitching duel between starter Josh Arnold ‘19 and the St. John’s pitching staff, giving up a combined total of nine hits. Arnold was able to pick up the win giving up one run on two hits in six innings pitched. Junior Peter Horn was able to come in relief, throwing three shutout innings and picking up the save. Fairfield went up 2-0 with runs driven in during the top of the second and top of the fourth, leading to Fairfield picking up the win over the Big East’s St. Johns.
Then, this past weekend, Fairfield began conference play with a three game series in Buffalo, N.Y. against Canisius College. On a cold Saturday afternoon, Fairfield lost a 5-3 game against their conference opponents. Freshman Trey McLoughlin got the start for the Stags, throwing five innings, giving up three earned on five hits. Canisius reliever Jared Kennedy ‘19 came in the game in the top of the fourth inning and shut the door, throwing four and a third shutout innings with five strikeouts out of the bullpen, getting the win for Canisius. Canisius outfielder and leadoff hitter, Mark McKenna ‘19, went 1-3 with a hit and two RBIs.
In the first game of a Sunday doubleheader, Fairfield got a big 1-0 win in 11 innings, behind a stellar pitching performance by John Signore ‘19, throwing eight scoreless innings, striking out 14 Canisius batters and only giving up two hits. Senior David Sacco continued Fairfield’s great pitching by throwing three shutout innings in relief, giving up three hits. Canisius JP Stevenson ‘18 matched Signore for seven and two thirds innings, only giving up three hits. Fairfield scored the game’s only run when Drew Blake ‘18 reached on a fielding error by Canisius shortstop Conner Morro ‘19, driving in Fairfield shortstop, Jack Gethings ‘19.
In the final game of the weekend, the second game of a cold Sunday doubleheader, Fairfield lost a tough game 3-2. Arnold was on the mound for the Stags, throwing five innings, giving up seven hits and three earned runs in a losing effort. Canisius starter Andrew Sipowicz ‘19 threw six and two thirds, giving up only three hits and one earned, getting the win for his team. Canisius shortstop Morro redeemed himself after the error in the first game, going 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI double. Fairfield brought the go ahead run to the plate and the tying run to second base in the ninth, unfortunately failing to capitalize on the opportunity to tie the game in the ninth inning as Will Frank picked up his second save of the season for Canisius.
After this weekend, Fairfield is now 7-13 after a 4-1 win over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils and 1-2 in conference play. They will face conference opponent Niagara University this upcoming weekend.
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