March 23, 2005
QUEENS, N.Y. - The Fairfield University baseball team scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning, to break a 13-13 tie, to defeat St. John's University 18-13 at the Ballpark at St. John's on Tuesday afternoon.
Sophomore Michael Colucci tossed six innings; to record his first win of the season, as Fairfield improves to 2-10 on the season, while St. John's falls to 8-8.
Coluccio entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, after Fairfield produced a nine-run top of the fourth, to take a 12-10 lead. St. John's crossed the plate in the fourth three times, but he settled down to give up only three hits, two walks while striking out six hitters.
In a wild afternoon, St. John's took a 13-12 lead in the bottom of the six inning, however Fairfield tied the game in the top of the seventh when freshman Adam Chilelli tripled and scored off a double down the left field line from junior Jim Girolamo.
Then junior David Soucy singled and junior Dewy Raymond walked, which brought Brian Rudolph to the plate, where he smacked a double down the left field line, to plate pinch-runner Albie DeSimone with what proved to be the winning run. Then Brian Schappert had a two-RBI double to left giving Fairfield a 16-13 lead.
Schappert would score on an error and Fairfield added a run in the ninth when Raymond tripled to right field.
Rudloph led Fairfield at the plate, going 4-for-6 with four runs scored, and four runs batted in. He also smacked his first collegiate homerun, and fifth double of the season.
Chilelli went 2-for-5 with one RBI, and two runs scored, and Tom Arpino also went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Fairfield returns to action on Wednesday afternoon for the 2005 home opener. The Stags will welcome Central Connecticut State for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Alumni Diamond.
