April 24, 2005
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University baseball team trailed, 5-0, in the second game of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader Sunday afternoon, but came back, scoring three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and two in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, to win 6-5, gaining a split against Niagara, who won the first game 6-2, at Alumni Diamond.
Niagara's (13-19, 7-5 MAAC) Josh Sawatzky took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, in the nightcap, before the Stags (8-26, 6-8 MAAC) were able to get to him, with a junior third baseman Dewey Raymond (Norwalk, Conn./Trinity Catholic) doubled down the left field line. Then, junior catcher Tom Arpino (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) was hit by a pitch, and senior designated hitter, David Soucy (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) walked to load the bases.
The next batter for Fairfield, freshman left fielder Adam Chilelli (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) roped a single to left field putting the Stags on the board. Sawatzky was able to get senior second baseman Mark Geanuleas (Glenside, Pa./Academy of the New Church) to strike out, then junior centerfielder Jim Girolamo (Wayland, Mass./Wayland) lofted a sacrifice fly to right field. Junior shortstop Doug Anderson (Randolph, N.J./Delbarton) ripped an RBI single, scoring Soucy, putting the Stags back in the game.
Niagara posted a run in the top of the first, and top of the third inning, and scored three runs on five hits in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead. In the fourth Mike Alati smacked a leadoff homerun to right field. Matt Schaffer drove in Paul Solini with a run scoring single, and Andrew MacDonald had an infield single to score Schaffer.
In the sixth, Soucy singled through the left side of the Niagara infield to plate, freshman right fielder Brian Rudolph (Washington Township, N.J./Bergen Catholic) who led the inning off getting hit by a pitch.
Despite giving up five runs on 11 hits and a walk, senior starter Tim Dugan (Cedar Grove, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) gave Fairfield a chance to win in the late innings, by giving up only one hit and one walk over the last three innings. Dugan (3-4) also moved into fourth place on the school's all-time strikeout list, passing Steve Colcord (1998-2001) with five "K's." Dugan has struck out 163 batters over the course of his career.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Anderson led the inning off with a bunt single, down the third base line. Then junior first baseman John Scaife (Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia) singled through the right side of the infield, putting runners on first and second. Then sophomore pinch hitter Brian Schappert (Wyckoff, N.J./St. Joseph's) laid a bunt down, and just beat the throw of the Niagara third baseman loading the bases.
Raymond singled to left field to tie the game at 5-5, as Niagara made a pitching change. Then Arpino ripped a shot, just past the outstretched glove of the Niagara third baseman, scoring Scaife for the game-winning run.
Raymond led the Stags at the plate in the nightcap, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Anderson was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and a RBI.
In the first game of the afternoon, Niagara scored twice in the first inning, once in the second, and scored single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take a 6-0 lead.
Niagara's James Avery kept the Stags' bats quiet most of the game, as he picked up his third win of the season, giving up two runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out eight hitters.
The lone highlight for the Stags in the first game was Scaife's two-run blast over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was the fifth round tripper of the season for the first baseman, and the ninth of his career.
Anderson and Raymond were each 2-for-4, as Anderson also had his fourth double of the season.
The rubber-game of the three-game MAAC series will take place on Monday afternoon, at Alumni Diamond. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. in the make up date. Saturday's originally scheduled doubleheader was washed out due to rain.
