May 1, 2007
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Fairfield baseball team belted out 20 hits as the Stags defeated Sacred Heart, 13-5, this afternoon at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in the first meeting between the two squads since 1993. Freshman Jason Rago (Fairfield, Conn.) shined for the Stags (12-24) as he tied the program record for hits in a game and singles in a game by going 5-for-6 on the day.
In addition to his five hits, Rago had four RBI and two runs scored. Rago becomes the tenth Stag in program history to post five hits in a game. The last Stag to complete the feat was Dewey Raymond against Albany on April 6, 2005. Rago's five singles also tied Bob Kownacki's record which was set on April 14, 1976.
Fairfield received multi-hit efforts from five Stags, including Rago. Sophomore Dave Jermine (North Haven, Conn.) went 3-for-7 with one run and an RBI while junior Mike Weiner (Easton, Conn.) went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Junior Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Junior Brian Rudolph (Washington Twp., N.J.) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Junior Albie DeSimone (Pelham, N.Y.) went 1-for-3 but reached base five times on the day and crossed the plate three times.
Sophomore Doug Ciallella (Clifton, N.J.) was outstanding on the hill for the Stags, scattering five hits over six innings and allowing just two runs along with four strikeouts. Sacred Heart (19-22) rookie Eric Romanchuk took the loss, getting touched up for four runs on five hits in just two innings. Freshman Mike Fournier (Fairfield, Conn.) tossed three innings in relief for the Stags, allowing three unearned runs on five hits to earn his third save of the year.
The Stags scored in each of the first four innings. Fairfield started things off by loading the bases in the top of the first inning, but managed only one run in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Weiner. The Stags added another run in the top of the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Allen. Fairfield put up two runs in the top of the third inning on a single by Rago which plated Rudolph and Weiner. The Stags broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning by tacking six runs on the board to take a 10-0 lead.
Sacred Heart scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as Pete Kandybowicz single to right center. The Pioneers posted another run in the sixth inning as Rob Tencza homered to leftfield.
DeSimone made the score 11-2 in the top of the eighth inning as he crossed the plate on a wild pitch. The Stags continued the scoring in the inning as Allen launched a long sacrifice fly to the warning track in left centerfield to score Jermine. Fairfield went up 13-2 on Rago's record breaking hit that scored Philip Espinosa (Commack, N.Y.).
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, Fournier walked in a run to make the scored 13-3. The Pioneers then added another run on a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to nine runs. Sacred Heart did not go away quietly in the bottom of the ninth inning tallying one run.
Fairfield is back in action tomorrow when it travels to the University of Hartford for a 3:30 p.m. start. The Stags will host their final home conference series this weekend against Manhattan. Prior to the start of Sunday's game, Fairfield will recognize its three seniors.
