Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University baseball team ran into some tough Niagara University pitching as the Purple Eagles swept both games of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader this afternoon at Alumni Diamond. Niagara (10-18, 6-3 MAAC) captured the first game 6-1 and the second game by a score of 7-1.

In the first game, Niagara's Joe Candelmo had a strong day on the hill, scattering one run on four hits with nine strikeouts in the seven-inning complete-game effort. Niagara got on the board in the top of the first inning as Matt Wietlispach scored on a groundout by Wynton Bernard. The Purple Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI double by Brian Deering. Niagara added four more in the top of the fourth inning to open up a 6-0 advantage. Fairfield (12-12, 3-3 MAAC) broke up the shutout in the bottom of the seventh as Matt Tiagwad (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) homered to left field to lead off the inning. Candelmo retired the next three Stags in order for his first win of the season. Junior Kevin Fico (Stamford, Conn.) took the loss allowing six runs, five earned, on 10 hits with five strikeouts in six innings. Brian Comiskey (Coram, N.Y.) went one inning, allowing one hit.

In the second game, Michael Kellar was stellar on the mound for the Purple Eagles scattering one run on four hits with nine strikeouts in nine innings. Niagara started its offense early notching four consecutive singles to open up a 3-0 lead to begin the first inning. The Purple Eagles added two more in the top of the fifth for the 5-0 advantage. Kellar silenced the Fairfield bats through the first four innings until Carmine DeVito (Plainview, N.Y.) broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff double in the fifth. The Stags then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases for senior Mike Joyce (Smithtown, N.Y.). The first baseman flied out to right field but the ball was deep enough to allow DeVito to tag and score. Kellar was able to get out of the jam without further damage. Niagara later added two more runs in the top of the ninth. Junior Scott Gussaroff (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.) took the loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits while striking out three in seven innings of work. Junior Rick Piccirillo (Trumbull, Conn.) threw two innings of relief, scattering two runs, one earned, on three hits with three strikeouts.

DeVito finished the day a combined 3-for-7 with a run scored for the Stags. Two of DeVito's three hits were doubles. For Niagara, Trevor Rutkowksi went 4-for-4 with two runs scored in the opening game while Bernard went 4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored in the second game. Jason Cramer went 3-for-5 three runs scored in the second game.

Fairfield is back in action on April 7 when the Stags host Central Connecticut at 3:30pm on Alumni Diamond.