March 30, 2006
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Sophomore Adam Chilelli went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a run batted in, as the Fairfield University baseball team fell to Central Connecticut State, 7-4 on Thursday afternoon at Balf-Savin Field. The Stags scored all of their runs in the top of the fifth inning.
The Blue Devils (12-6) got on the board with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning, off Fairfield (6-13) starter sophomore Ryan Hoffmann. Seth Brown led the inning off with a double to right center field, and later scored on a single by Steve Salvatore. Salvatore scored when Matt Memoli tripled to right making it 2-0 CCSU. Memoli scored the third run of the inning off a sacrifice fly by John Romano.
Three runs in the bottom of the third opened the Central Connecticut lead to 6-0. With one out in the inning, Romano walked and scored on a triple by Scott Appleton for the first run of the inning. Adam Taha reached on a fielder's choice and B.K. McLaughlin was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Richie Tri tripled down the right field line scoring both runners making it 6-0. The Blue Devils scored an unearned run in the fourth inning when, with the bases loaded, Salvatore scored on a passed ball.
Fairfield went to work in the top of the fifth, Junior Philip Espinosa led the inning off with a double down the left field line and went to third after an error by the Blue Devils. Senior Jim Girolamo drew a walk with the bases loaded to drive in a run, followed by an RBI fielder's choice by senior Doug Anderson and a sacrifice fly by John Scaife to cut the lead to 7-4.
Matt Gianini picked up the win for CCSU, as he pitched five innings of one-hit ball. Hoffmann (0-2) was tagged with the loss, as he gave up six runs on five hits in two and two-thirds innings. Freshman Dylan Gandossy gave up one run on two hits and three strikeouts in three and a third innings. Freshman Dan Gallagher and senior Dan Breen each pitched one inning of one hit ball for the Stags.
Gallagher, continues his scoreless innings streak to 11.1 innings with out a run, and has not allowed an earned run in his last 16.1 innings.
Junior Philip Espinosa went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
Fairfield returns to action this weekend for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series at Saint Peter's College. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday's nine-inning game is also slated to begin at 12 p.m.
