For the baseball team, it was a great performance against Manhattan College, where pitcher Mike Wallace ‘16 threw a complete two-hit shutout game with nine strikeouts. His performance earned him the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. Now, in his junior year, Mike Wallace has become one of the most successful pitchers in program history.
Ever since Mike Wallace has had a Stags jersey on, he’s been nothing but productive. Wallace has had impressive campaigns, starting with his freshman year where he went 6-4 with a 3.39 ERA with 37 strikeouts, followed by a sophomore season that earned him All-MAAC Second Team, MAAC Academic Honor Roll and MAAC All-Academic Team.
“We’ve [the team] grown closer together over the past three years and we’ve made improvements every year since my freshman year, myself included,” said Mike Wallace. “We’re just looking to keep building on that progress and keep bettering the program.”
Luckily for the Stags, Mike Wallace has someone following right in his footsteps. This year, his brother Gavin Wallace ‘18 joined the pitching staff for the Fairfield Stags, but he has a lot to live up to.
Looking to better the program, Mike Wallace had a huge influence on getting his younger brother, Gavin Wallace, to attend Fairfield.
The Wallace Brothers have been playing baseball together for as long as they can remember. Baseball was the sport that their parents first introduced them to. Mike Wallace recalled when they used to spend hours together in the batting cages with their father. From the batting cages to Alumni Field, he spoke about how the game has brought them closer over the years.
“He’s one of my best friends and he’s my brother so we’ve always had that going,” said Mike Wallace, “but now playing together and playing at such a high level, you see each other’s competition and passion.”
Mike Wallace has been instrumental in helping his brother adjust to not only to life in college, but the competitive atmosphere of a Division I sport.
In Gavin Wallace’s first season as a Stag, he is going through a transition in roles. Previously, he was the captain of his team at Madison High School in Madison, N.J. Now he’s an underclassmen finding his way, but unlike many, he has had the luxury of having his older brother as a guide.
“He’s helped me a lot… just knowing that he’s here gives [me] a sense of home” said Gavin Wallace.
The brothers are constantly pushing one another to get better.
“We work hard in the weight room together, we lift together in the offseason and when we’re at home, we throw together,” said Mike Wallace. “I love watching him pitch and go out there. We both feed off each other’s competitive nature.”
Both of the brothers are looking forward to the games they will play over the next couple of years together, but as of right now they’re focusing on the current season they will play together.
At this point in the season, the Stags hold a record of 2-11 overall, but a 1-2 record in conference play.
“Our record isn’t as good as we would like it to be,” said Mike Wallace, “but I think that we are still playing good baseball and I think that’s going to come around and that’ll show once conference games really get going.”
Due to snow on the fields, the Stags have yet to play a home game, which has taken a toll on the athletes. MIke Wallace added that he believes their game will begin to take off once they take on MAAC rival, Canisius, this weekend.
“We’re going to come out strong this weekend and hopefully take a series from Canisius and then get it rolling with Iona after that,” said Mike Wallace.
The Stags are scheduled to take on Hartford on Wednesday, March 24.
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