Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Fairfield University baseball team split a doubleheader with Iona College this afternoon in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) match up. The Stags took the opening game 4-2, but were edged 3-2 in the second game by the Gaels in a come-from-behind victory. 

In the opening game, sophomore hurler Rob Gariano (Nutley, N.J.) improved to 5-2 on the season with another impressive outing for the Stags (12-27, 10-7 MAAC). Gariano lasted eight innings, scattering two runs on two hits with a career high 13 strikeouts. He had a shutout going until the seventh inning when Dylan McCullough broke the scoring drought for Iona (2-35, 2-15 MAAC) with a two-out single which plated two runs. Sophomore Dan Urbanovich (Nutley, N.Y.) picked up his first save of the year retiring the Gaels in order in the bottom of the ninth. 

Fairfield put up a two spot in the top second inning to take an early lead in game one. David Dudish (Olney, Md.) scored the first run of the game on a throwing error by the Gaels. Sophomore Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) also scored in the inning. The Stags added two more in the top of the third as Tucker Nathans (Warwick, N.Y.) and Dudish both delivered RBI singles. That would be all the cushion the Stags would need thanks to Gariano's impressive performance on the mound. Dudish was 2-for-4 at the plate in the opening game. 

In the nightcap, despite being out-hit 8-2, the Stags took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. Fairfield, however, was unable to stop Iona's rally during its last at-bat. In that inning, the Gaels had their first three batters reach to load the bases. Allie Abbatiello then singled up the middle off of Urbanovich to drive in a run and knot the score 2-2. After a pitching change, Joe Lorenzo followed with a single to left center to drive in the winning run. 

The Stags scored both their runs in the top of the third inning. Junior Mike Joyce (Smithtown, N.J.) scored the game's first run on a sacrifice fly by senior Pat Hoban (Malvern, Pa.). Rookie Mike Bourdon (Simsbury, Conn.) later scored on a throwing error by the Gaels. Iona closed the gap to 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth. The Gaels loaded the bases with no outs, although the Stags turned a double play, Lorenzo was able to cross the plate on the play. 

Bobby DiNuzzo went the distance for Iona scattering two runs on two hits with 12 strikeouts. Urbanovich took the loss for the Stags. Sophomore Kevin Fico (Stamford, Conn.) was left with a no-decision after going five and two-thirds innings allowing one run on eight hits with five strikeouts. 

Fairfield will wrap up the series with Iona, tomorrow, April 27. First pitch is scheduled for noon.