Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University baseball team fell to in-state rival Central Connecticut, 3-1, this afternoon at Alumni Diamond.

Central Connecticut (4-11) started the offense in the top of the first inning as Anthony Scialdone homered to right field to put the Blue Devils on top, 1-0. The Stags loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning, but could not push any runs across the plate.

The Blue Devils added another run in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Jak Kidd and made the score 3-0 in the top of the fourth on sacrifice fly by Sean Miller-Jones. Fairfield threatened in the bottom half of the fourth as rookie Tucker Nathans (Warwick, N.Y.) singled and sophomore Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) walked to start the inning, but the Stags could not capitalize.

Fairfield got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning as senior Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) came home on a sacrifice fly by sophomore David Dudish (Olney, Md.) to make the score 3-1. The Stags put two runners on with one out in the bottom of the ninth but the rally fell short.

Matt Gianini (2-2) picked up the win, scattering one run and four hits over eight innings with four strikeouts while Derek Roberts earned the save.

Sophomore Rick Piccirillo (Trumbull, Conn.) was tagged with the loss. He went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits and five walks. Piccirillo also struck out five batters. Sophomore Kevin Fico (Stamford, Conn.) tossed two scoreless innings in relief, giving up two hits, while Dan Gallagher (Allendale, N.J.) and Dan Urbanovich (Nutley, N.J.) tossed one-hit eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

Fairfield stranded 11 runners on the day while Central Connecticut left 10 men on base.

Next up for Fairfield (4-14, 2-1 MAAC) is a weekend series against Niagara. Due to weather and field conditions at Niagara, the series will to Canisius College's Demske Sports Complex. The Stags and the Purple Eagles will play a single game at the conclusion of the Iona-Canisius doubleheader on March 29. Fairfield and Niagara will play a doubleheader on March 30 after the Iona-Canisius game.