March 28, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Despite loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Fairfield University baseball team, was edged by the University of Connecticut, 5-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Diamond. Fairfield's rally fell short after a pickoff play at second base.
The Stags were led by senior centerfielder Jim Girolamo who went 2-for-4 with a run batted in, and senior Tom Arpino who went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in the ninth inning.
Junior Brian Schappert led the ninth off with a bunt single; he then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior Michael Joyce was hit by a pitch, and senior Doug Anderson drew a walk, bringing Arpino to the plate, where he ripped a one-out double to the left centerfield gap, which plated Schappert and Joyce, to make it 5-3 in favor of the Huskies (13-8).
But, UConn got Senior Dewey Raymond to strikeout, and got Arpino out at second on the pickoff play to end the rally and the ballgame.
UConn scored once in the first and two more times in the third to make it 3-0, before the Stags put their first run of the game on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Joyce's run scoring base hit to right drove in Girolamo who led the inning off with a one-out double down the left field line.
The Huskies scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to account for the scoring.
Fairfield received solid start from senior Steve Tyburski pitched eight innings of four-run ball, while striking out five batters. Nick Tucci went five innings for the Huskies allowing just one hit.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, April 25 at J.O. Christian Field in Storrs, Conn.
Fairfield will look to rebound on Thursday, March 30, for the second meeting of the season against Central Connecticut State. Last Wednesday, the Blue Devils defeated the Stags 6-0, at Alumni Diamond.
