LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Junior Patrick Hoban (Malvern, Pa.) recorded three stolen bases, a hit, a run, and an RBI all in the seventh inning to power Fairfield University's seven-run rally as the Stags came from behind to defeat Rider University, 12-11, this afternoon. In addition to Hoban's clutch performance, rookie Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) and junior Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) each had four hits in Fairfield's season finale.

Trailing 9-2 entering the seventh inning, things looked bleak for the Stags. Hoban, however, swung the momentum into the Stags' favor by reaching on an error to lead off the frame, stealing both second and third base, and then scoring on a groundout to spark Fairfield's rally. The Stags pulled within 9-7 on a string of five-straight RBI hits with two outs. With runners on second and third, Hoban returned to the plate, singled and advanced on an error, which allowed both Mike Weiner (Easton, Conn.) and Dave Brizzolara (Norwood, N.J.) to score to knot the game, 9-9. Hoban stole his third base of the inning on the ensuing play.

In the top of the eighth inning, Brizzolara put the Stags ahead to stay with an RBI single to centerfield to plate Rago. Fairfield added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI triple by Rago and an RBI single by Allen to pull ahead, 12-9. Rider scored twice in the bottom half of the inning, but the Stags were able to fend off the Broncs and pull out the win.

In his final collegiate outing, senior Michael Colucci (Bayonne, N.J.) picked up his second win by tossing two scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits while striking out a batter. Rookie Mike Fournier (Fairfield, Conn.) picked up his fifth save of the season. The saves tied the program's third-highest single season mark and tied Fournier for fourth on the career chart.

Rago went 4-for-6, including two triples, with three runs scored, and an RBI, while Allen went 4-for-5, including two doubles, along with two RBI and two runs scored. Allen finishes the season with 23 doubles to set the new Fairfield standard.

Hoban finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Weiner, who came in as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, went 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI. Brizzolara went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI as well.

Junior Brian Rudolph (Washington Twp., N.J.) and sophomore Dave Jermine (North Haven, Conn.) each crossed the plate twice for Fairfield.

Junior Ryan Calabrese (Wantagh, N.Y.) started for the Stags, giving up five runs, four earned, in 2.1 innings of work. Sophomore Doug Ciallella (Clifton, N.J.) went 2.2 innings allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits. Freshman Kevin Fico (Stamford, Conn.) went one inning allowing one run on three hits.

Rider got on the board first in the opening frame taking an advantage of a Fairfield error. The Stags responded in the top of the second inning by putting two runs up. With runners on second and third with one out, Allen scored from third on a groundout by senior Philip Espinosa (Commack, N.Y.). Hoban followed with a single to left field to plate Rudolph.

The Broncs regained the lead with a four-run third inning which was capped off by a two run homerun by Jon Liese to put Rider ahead, 5-2. The Broncs added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Sean Olson to set the score at 6-2. Rider pushed its lead to six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as two Broncs crossed the plate and then added another run in the sixth inning to make the score 9-2.

Fairfield concludes its 2007 campaign with an 18-28 overall record and 12-14 mark in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).