Stags Edged By Fordham 10-9 In 13-Inning Game
Apr 2, 2008
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University baseball team fell to Fordham, 10-9, in a wild 13-inning affair this afternoon at Alumni Diamond.
After Fordham (14-11) pulled out to a 7-0 lead in the third inning, Fairfield (5-17) rallied in the bottom half of the frame with a six-run effort. The Stags had their first three runners of the inning reach base on two walks and a hit batsman. With one out, senior Brian Rudolph (Washington Twp., N.J.) was hit by a pitch to force home Mike Joyce (Smithtown, N.Y.). Freshman Tucker Nathans (Warwick, N.Y.), the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week, followed with an RBI single to make the score 7-2. Fairfield scored its next three runs on wild pitches before Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Weiner (Easton, Conn.) to pull the Stags within a run.
Fairfield tied the score in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Matt Tiagwad (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) which plated Joyce. The Stags took the 8-7 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning as Dave Jermine (North Haven, Conn.) trotted home from third on a Rudolph ground out to second base. The lead did not last long as Fordham tied the game in the top of the ninth as Rich Goulian stole third base and then scored on a wild pitch.
In the 11th inning, the Rams went ahead 9-8 on an RBI single by Goulian. The Stags responded in the bottom of the inning as Rago delivered a single through the right side to score senior Adam Chilelli (Garden City, N.Y.) from second base to tie the score, 9-9.
In the top of the 13th inning, Fordham pinch hitter Alex Kenny started things off with a single, advanced to second on a throwing error, and to third on a sac bunt. He then scored on a double by Mike Mobbs. Fairfield threatened in the bottom half of the inning as Chilelli walked and Rudolph singled with one out. The rally was stopped there as Angelo Ponte was able to retire the final two batters for the win.
Junior Dan Gallagher (Allendale, N.J.) was tagged with the loss after giving up on run on two hits in the final two innings of the game. Starter Rick Piccirillo (Trumbull, Conn.) went three innings, allowing seven unearned runs on four hits. Sophomore Scott Gussaroff (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.) had a solid relief effort going five innings allowing just one hit while walking one batter and striking out six Rams.
Rudolph went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Nathans and Rago each went 2-for-6 with an RBI, run scored, and a walk. Tiagwad went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Fairfield begins a 10-game road swing with a trip to UConn, tomorrow, April 3. The Stags resume MAAC play, April 5-6, at Saint Peter's.
