April 25, 2006
STORRS, Conn. - Behind the pitching of junior Michael Colucci (Bayonne, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) and freshman Dan Gallagher (Allendale, N.J./Bergen Catholic) the Fairfield University baseball team defeated Connecticut, 5-4, at J.O. Christian Field.
Colucci recorded his first win of the season for the Stags (12-22), as he pitched three innings of relief giving up two runs on three hits and one strikeout.
Gallagher pitched two perfect innings to record his sixth save of the season, which moves him to second place on the school's single-season save list.
The Huskies (26-13) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Pat Mahoney laced a double to the right, plating Austin Wasserman who led the inning off getting hit by a pitch and stealing second.
However, the Stags quickly tied it in the top of the second, as freshman George Lisi (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell) hit his first career homerun with a shot over the fence in right field.
UConn made it 2-1 when Matt Untiet's base hit drove in Wasserman, who doubled to left field.
Fairfield loaded the bases in the top of the fourth inning, as senior Doug Anderson (Randolph, N.J./Delbarton) singled to left, and Lisi reached on a fielding error by the UConn second baseman. After a fly out, sophomore Tyler Birrittella (Tarrytown, N.Y./Sleepy Hollow) walked. But, senior Jim Girolamo (Wayland, Mass./Wayland) flied out to left to end the inning.
The Stags took the lead in the top of the fifth inning, as sophomore Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) smacked a two run double to left centerfield to score sophomore Albie DeSimone (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) and Anderson.
Lisi then drew a walk, which brought sophomore Adam Chilelli (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) to the plate. Chilelli stroked a double to centerfield, which scored Allen, giving the Stags a 4-2 lead.
Fairfield tacked on another run in the top of the sixth inning, as DeSimone laced a single to the left centerfield gap which brought Lisi in from second base. Lisi roped a one-out double to right center for his second hit of the afternoon.
UConn cut into the Fairfield lead with a two-run double by Bryan Maler in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jermine, DeSimone, and Anderson each had a pair of hits to lead the Stags at the plate.
Fairfield will head to Niagara University for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series, on Saturday and Sunday.
