This past weekend, the Fairfield University baseball team snatched up a series sweep against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foes, the Iona University Gaels. In a three-game series that saw the better end of Fairfield’s offense and a masterclass of pitching, the Stags boosted their record to 10-15 overall and 3-0 in the MAAC. The games were played at Fairfield University’s Don and Chris Cook Field instead of City Park due to poor field conditions in New Rochelle from an earlier storm.
Game One
On the very first pitch of the game, shortstop Luke Nomura ‘26 singled, setting the tone for the series. Iona starting pitcher Andrelys Payamps ‘25 struggled at the plate, walking outfielder Paul Catalano ‘24, reaching a full count against first baseman Matt Bergevin ‘24 and letting Nomura score on a wild pitch. With two men in scoring position and one out, graduate student catcher Ethan Hibbard stepped up to the plate and worked his way from two strikes to hit an RBI single. Payamps settled in following the two runs and struck out the side to leave one man stranded.
Action continued for the Stags in the top of the 3rd. On the first pitch seen of his appearance for the inning, Hibbard smashed one to left field. Shaken up from the home run, Payamps couldn’t throw a strike to right fielder Matt Bucciero ‘26 and walked him. Taking advantage of this weakness, Bucciero advanced to third following a single from designated hitter Payten Wawruck ‘26 and was brought home by graduate student second baseman Zach Selinger who hit a sacrifice fly.
At the top of the 4th, Nomura managed to work his way to a full count and walk. Attempting to steal second base, he was almost picked off but an Iona error kept him alive. This advancement would prove useful, as Bergevin hit an RBI double afterward. Iona’s defense kept struggling. A passed ball allowed Bergevin to move to third and score on a subsequent wild pitch. The score was 6-0 going into the bottom of the 4th.
Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Helmstetter ‘24 managed to keep Iona scoreless and with no more than two hits per inning for the first three innings. The Gaels broke out of his hold, singled twice and doubled to get their first run of the game. A second run was scored off a sacrifice fly.
Iona then kept the assault going as Helmstetter slowly lost his command. A batter who was hit by a pitch ended up making his way around the bags and ultimately scored on a sacrifice line-out. Two more runners scored on different RBI singles, one of whom was walked. The score was 6-5 going into the 6th inning, and Helmstetter finished his outing with a final line of 5 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 2 BB and 4 K.
With the Gaels being too close for comfort, the Stags fought back from two outs and managed to add cushion to the score. Bucciero, who had singled, scored on an RBI double from Wawruck. Selinger kept this leverage and walked, but was ultimately stranded on base alongside Wawruck as the Gaels finally collected the last out.
Bats stayed productive for the Stags, a sequence of three hits resulted in another run. By this point, the Gaels were scared of the lineup. Hibbard was intentionally walked, but another run was scored regardless thanks to Bucciero, making it 9-5.
The Stags’ discipline at the plate was unmatched for the game, and this narrative was no different in the 8th inning. The Gaels seemed stunted by the power of the Stags offense. Selinger worked his way up to a full count and ended up getting hit by a pitch. A passed ball moved him to second. Third baseman Nick Sturino ‘25 saw no strikes in his appearance for the inning and walked, his fourth walk of five that tied the program single-game record. After a fielder’s choice that left men on the first two bases, Nomura singled to load the bases. The Gaels switched pitchers, their fifth of the game, and walked another to give up a run. That pitcher was immediately taken out. The next fresh arm facing the Stags, RHP Tyler Lender ‘26, walked the next batter. After Hibbard flew out, Bucciero picked up an RBI walk as well. Wawruck then collected a 2 RBI single. The score was 14-5.
Iona scored in the bottom of the 8th against graduate student left-handed reliever Chris Difore, their last run of the game, and was shut out in the bottom of the 9th to end the game. The final score was 14-6.
Whether it be the energy that a last-minute home series brings or just talent alone, the Stags have been heating up and making solid plays that win ball games. Head Coach Bill Currier reflected on the Stags’ performance on the game’s official report, saying “On a cold and windy day you have to be able to pitch and make the plays on defense and we did that.”
Game Two
Game two was a spectacle for fans of pitching, as starting LHP Bowen Baker ‘24 went eight innings and only gave up two hits, shutting the Gaels out with nine strikeouts for a final line of 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB and 9 K. Currier highlighted Baker’s performance, saying “Bo Baker was very good in getting us eight innings and throwing strikes with three pitches and did a good job in getting us into a good position.”
For the Gaels, the defense was locked in as well until the Stags broke through in the top of the 4th inning and scored after Hibbard walked, advanced to second and third on singles and scored on a fly-out.
The Stags scored their next run on a solo home run from Selinger, the first of his Stag career following a transfer from Fordham for this season. The dugout was all smiles for Selinger, who put the cherry on top of an energetic day of baseball.
The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the 9th when the Gaels threatened extra innings against graduate student RHP Jack Erbeck who was put in to relieve Baker. Erbeck was slow to start, walking the first batter and giving up a single to the next. An out was collected on a fly-out, but Erbeck was still gaining his footing and threw a wild pitch that led to a run-scoring. The last two batters struck out swinging, and Erbeck ended the night with a final line of 1 IP, 1 H,1 ER, 1 BB and 2 K.
Game Three
In search of a series sweep, starting right-handed pitcher Colin McVeigh ‘24 dominated the mound for all seven innings, giving up just two hits and striking out eight to shut out the Gaels with a final line of 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB and 8 K. The Stags scored 12 runs throughout the seven innings, with Bergevin, third baseman Dean Ferrara ‘25, Hibbard and Wawruck dominating the scorebook.
Bergevin started off his day with a three-run home run in the first inning to bring home Nomura who walked and Ferrara who singled.
In the second inning, Bergevin continued his hot streak and sent another three-run homer past the right-center field fence to make it 6-0. Hibbard was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild one, ultimately completing his journey back home on a double from Bucciero. The score was 7-0 in the top of the second, and it stayed there until the 4th.
Two singles from the Stags and a RBI walk added another run to the tally, and a final wild pitch added another run.
At the top of the 6th, another RBI single from Selinger kept the scoring streak going. In the 7th, Bergevin stole second and Nomura scored on an error. Capping the scoring for the day, Hibbard singled to right field and Bergevin scored. The final score was 12-0 as the Stags completed their sweep.
Looking back on the series, Currier said, “It’s good to see our starters put in some good length in their games and throw well.” McVeigh’s dominance on the mound was an obvious highlight for the team, “It’s great to see Colin back as a starter and he really did a great job today.”
After the April 2nd game against St. John’s was postponed, the Stags are set to be back in action hosting Canisius this Friday at 3 PM.
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