MOBILE, Ala. - After its season opener was pushed back a day due to rain, the Fairfield University baseball team suffered another setback falling to Xavier University, 12-7, during the opening day of play at the Coca-Cola Classic.

Several Stags had strong days at the plate. Senior Albie DeSimone (Pelham, N.Y.) went 2-for-2 with two runs scored while Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) went 2-for-5, including a homerun, along with three RBI and two runs scored. Senior Mike Weiner (Easton, Conn.) went 3-for-4 with two RBI while rookie Tucker Nathans (Warwick, N.Y.) went 2-for-5 with a run scored in his debut.

The Stags' first inning of the 2008 campaign was a strong one as they put up three runs on three hits. DeSimone drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a one-out single by Rago. After senior Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) was plunked, Weiner singled to right to score Rago Senior Brian Rudolph (Washington Twp., N.J.) followed with a single of his own to push Allen across the plate and give Fairfield the 3-0 lead.

Xavier got two of the runs back in the second and third innings but took a commanding lead with an eight-run fourth inning to set the score at 10-3.

Fairfield responded in the bottom of the frame posting four runs on the board to pull within 10-7. Nathans collected his first collegiate hit with a leadoff single up the middle and was able to score on a sac fly by Pat Hoban (Malvern, Pa.). Rago then delivered a two-run blast over the right field fence. Allen followed with a triple and touched home on a single by Weiner. Despite batting around, Fairfield could not muster any more runs leaving the bases loaded.

Xavier's Mike Creevy and Jordan Conley scattered just six hits over the final five innings to hold off the Stags.

Sophomore Kevin Fico (Stamford, Conn.) picked up the loss after allowing nine runs, one earned, on six hits. Sophomore Rob Gariano (Nutley, N.J.) had a solid start going three innings, scattering five hits and allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out three batters. Sophomore Rick Piccirillo (Trumbull, Conn.) tossed the final two innings allowing one run on two hits.

Rudolph finished the day 2-for-5 with an run batted in while sophomore Matt Tiagwad (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) went 3-for-5.

Fairfield continues action at the Coca-Cola Classic tonight with 6 p.m. (CST) game against host South Alabama. The Stags wrap up action on Sunday, February 24, with an 11 a.m. game against Kentucky.