The Fairfield Stags (19-14, 9-3) went undefeated this past week, taking care of business against the Hofstra Pride (7-24, 2-7) and then sweeping the Saint Peter’s Peacocks (2-27, 2-10).
The Stags are riding a five game win streak after defeating the Pride and the Peacocks. Fairfield traveled to Jersey City, N.J., for a their fourth weekend conference series, and they dominated all three games. In game one, Fairfield won 7-2 behind a strong outing by Austin Pope ‘20. Pope threw six innings, and allowed only three hits, two unearned runs and struck out six. Pope got the win, moving him to 1-1 on the season. Pope was relieved by Eli Oliphant ‘20 who shut the door, throwing three shutout innings to close it out for the Stags.
Senior Jack Gethings went 2-6, including an RBI double that kicked off the scoring in the third inning. Center fielder Dan Ryan ‘20, who went 3-5, knocked in Gethings with a double of his own to extend the Fairfield lead to two. Fairfield’s offense drew 10 walks, which paired with their 11 hits and led to a big offensive day for the Fairfield lineup. The Fairfield offense exploded in game two, as the Stags crushed their way to a 14-1 victory over St. Peters.
First-year Michael Sansone earned his third win of the season, throwing six shutout innings, striking out six. The offense was the story, as Fairfield scored in all but two innings, including a seven spot in the sixth inning. Leadoff hitter Tim Zeng ‘19 continued his hot streak of hitting, going 3-4 with two RBI and two walks. Gethings also went 3-4, but he drove in four runs and stole a base.
Nine Stags came away with at least one RBI, and eight Stags came away with at least a single hit. As a team, Fairfield put up 17 hits in 34 at-bats with eight walks. The Stags dominated the game, offensively and on the mound, from start to finish.
In game three, Fairfield completed the sweep, earning an 8-2 win behind a five run seventh inning. Fairfield’s bullpen shined again, after Trey McLoughlin ‘21 threw four and two-thirds, allowing two runs, one earned, and striking out four. The bullpen threw the final four and a third innings, allowing only one hit and zero runs. Junior Ian Halpin picked up the win, throwing two shutout innings in relief after McLoughlin worked himself into trouble in the top of the fifth.
Fairfield’s offense finally woke up in their five run sixth inning, sparked by a St. Peters error, allowing Fairfield to take a 4-2 lead. Tim Ryan ‘19 drove in two runs, including an RBI single that closed out the rally in the seventh inning.
Fairfield will have a busy week at home upcoming, taking on the Fordham Rams (22-15, 7-5) on Tuesday, April 16. Then, going up against the cross town rival Sacred Heart Pioneers (12-21, 6-6) on Wednesday, April 17.
Finally, Fairfield will welcome the Monmouth Hawks (14-19, 4-5) for their fifth weekend conference series. The Stags will look to extend their five game win streak and keep their run of good baseball going.
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