For the first time in his career, Justin Guerrera ‘22, an infielder on the Fairfield University baseball team, was named a Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week and received the title of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week. These accomplishments come after a historic opening weekend by both Guerrera and the baseball team, where Fairfield completed a four-game sweep over Canisius College. The Stags took both games in the Saturday, March 20 doubleheader, winning game one with a 7-4 win, and sweeping game two with a shut out of Canisius 13-4. Fairfield and Canisius then returned to Alumni Baseball Diamond on Sunday, March 21 in another doubleheader. The Stags overtook Canisius 6-3 in game one and shut them out 8-0 in the second game. The 2020-2021 baseball roster became the first Fairfield baseball team to start a season 4-0.
Guerrera became the third ever Stag to hit three home runs in one game and help the Stags to a 13-4 victory over the Golden Griffins. He was a crucial piece of the puzzle this weekend, batting .533, going 8-for-15 with nine RBI and seven runs scored, highlighted by a historic four homers.
Guerrera is honored to accept these nominations, saying, “It’s definitely a humbling experience to be named both of those titles. I really appreciate those who chose me for those awards along with some of the best in the country. I am just proud of my teammates and I for being able to take away four wins this weekend.”
Guerrera still feels some nerves prior to games, but has adapted well to the trials and tribulations of life as a collegiate athlete. “There’s always the butterflies before a game, I usually get them before the national anthem when I’m standing out there but the actual game there are never usually jitters. It’s second nature, something that I have been doing my whole life. I just let myself do what I know I am capable of doing.“
The coaches of the Fairfield baseball team have made a large impact on Guerrera’s life, both athletically and personally. Guerrera attests, “They’ve helped me tremendously. Coming in as a freshman two years ago, they really helped me transition from high school to college baseball. They really taught me a lot about the game and about myself. “
Bill Currier is entering his ninth season as head coach of the Fairfield University baseball team. He has led the Stags to their first-ever MAAC Tournament Championship, two regular season titles and four 30-win campaigns, including a program record 35 in 2019. In total, Currier has been a head coach for 32 seasons and has accumulated 704 victories over that span. Before coming to Connecticut, Currier earned the most coaching victories in the history of his alma mater the University of Vermont. In his 22 seasons with the Catamounts, Currier was a part of 486 wins, earned three America East Coach of the Year honors, and helped the squad to two conference Regular Season Championships.
Justin Guerrera has grown immensely through the Fairfield baseball program and is excited to continue to push the boundaries for the program.
“Personally, I am just trying to live up to the expectations that have been set for me, and just help the team win in any way possible. As a team, our end goal is to win a MAAC championship. We’re hoping this year with the talent we have we are able to go farther into a regional and maybe even a super regional and compete against some of the best teams in the country.”
Guerrera concluded, “It is a great honor to be nominated for these awards and I am super proud of my team for everything that we have been able to accomplish so far. I just hope that we can keep it moving forward and have a successful season, growing as a team throughout the duration of the season.”
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