Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2

FAIRFIELD, Conn.  - The Fairfield University baseball team opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play with a doubleheader sweep of Siena College this afternoon at Alumni Diamond. Juniors Rob Gariano (Nutley, N.J.) and Kevin Fico (Stamford, Conn.) each notched their second wins of the season while freshman Mark Skrapits (Bronx, N.Y.) drove in four runs on the day.

Gariano (2-2) picked up the win in the first game, scattering two runs on six hits in eight innings along with six strikeouts. Siena (2-17, 0-2 MAAC) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but Fairfield (5-9, 2-0 MAAC) answered with a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout by Tucker Nathans (Warwick, N.Y.). The Stags poured on the runs in the bottom of the second opening up a 7-2 lead. David Dudish (Olney, Md.) opened the inning with a single through the left side and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Chris Horning (Potomac, Md.) was hit by a pitch, freshman Tyler Wosleger (East Hampton, Conn.) doubled to the wall in right center to plate Dudish and Horning and put the Stags on top 3-1. Skrapits followed with a single up the middle to score Wosleger. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) cleared them with a double off the base of the fence in straightaway center to make the score 7-2.

Fairfield added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Skrapits. Dudish gave the Stags a 9-2 advantage with a solo home run to left field. The Saints threatened in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with two outs but Gariano was able to induce the groundball to end the inning. Fairfield added another run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Rago came around to score on a bloop single by Bill Rafferty (Guilderland, N.Y.). Siena got one run in the ninth off senior Dan Gallagher (Allendale, N.J.) but the Stags were able to shut the Saints down. Siena's Craig Chaput (1-3) got the loss, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits in five innings.

Fico (2-1) threw a complete game in the nightcap, scattering two runs on three hits with four strikeouts in seven innings. Siena opened a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a wild pitch and a solo homerun by Anthony Giansanti. Fairfield got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fourth as Rago scored on a sac fly by Dudish. The Stags tied it up in the bottom of the fifth as Matt Tiagwad (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) laced a single to center to score Skrapits from second base.

Fairfield took the lead with a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth inning with Rafferty reaching on an error to start the surge. Horning followed with a single while pinch hitter Justin Nusblatt (Doylestown, Pa.) was hit by reliever Dan Lazzaroni to load them up for Skrapits. The shortstop did not disappoint as Skrapits worked the count full and drew a walk to force home Rafferty and give the Stags the 3-2 lead. Freshman Ryan Furbeck (Oakland, N.J.) added an insurance run as he was plunked to force in Horning. The Saints threatened in the top of the seventh as Phil Cahill reached on a two-base Fairfield error, but Fico was able to get Nick Messinger to fly out to end the game. Siena's Will Hassett (0-1) took the loss after allowing four unearned runs on five hits in 5.2 innings.

Horning went a combined 4-for-7 on the day with two runs scored. Rafferty went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and an RBI while Skrapits finished 3-for-6 with a walk, four RBI, two runs scored. Furbeck and Tiagwad each collected three this on the day while Rago drove in three in scored two.

Fairfield wraps up the series with Siena on March 22 at noon on Alumni Diamond.