April 6, 2003
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Junior Tom Maisano struck out 11 batters to earn his second victory of the season, as the Fairfield University baseball team defeated Canisius College 8-5 in the first game of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader at the Demske Sports Complex, on Sunday afternoon.
The Stags (5-14-1, 3-5 MAAC) dropped the nightcap, 7-2. As the twin bill was a makeup from Saturday afternoon. Saturday's action was postponed due to an ice storm that hit the Buffalo area, on Friday afternoon. The third game of the conference series has been cancelled.
Maisano tossed seven and one-third innings of six hit ball, in the opener. Sophomore Greg Batista had a good day at the plate for the Stags going 3-for-3 with four runs scored, and one run batted in. Junior Antuan Barnett also had a solid day at the plate with a 3-for-5 outing with a double and two runs batted in.
Junior Nick Hudyma smacked two singles, and a double with driving in three runners, and a run scored for Fairfield.
In the nightcap, senior Paul Gorra scattered five runs on six hits in three and one-third innings of work for his third loss of the season. The Griffs crossed the plate five times in the bottom of the third inning to take control, for their first win of the season.
Fairfield answered with two runs in the fifth, but Canisius tallied two runs in the bottom of the frame. Kevin Smith plated a run with a single through the left side, and VanGeene collected an RBI single. Neufeld allowed two earned runs, seven hits and two walks in the game.
Before the first game, Canisius honored the jersey of former pitcher Tim Smith, who was killed in a car accident in Maine last summer. Smith's framed jersey was presented to his parents, Jeff and Joan, and his sister, Jen. Jeff also threw the ceremonial first pitch.
Fairfield returns to action on Wednesday afternoon, as it travels to the University of Hartford.
