May 13, 2006
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Junior Brian Schappert (Wyckoff, N.J./Saint Joseph's University) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, in the nightcap of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader at Iona College, Saturday afternoon at Salesian Field. Iona scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the opener 3-1, but the Stags bounced back to win the second 10-3.
In the nightcap, Fairfield (15-28, 9-13 MAAC) was trailing 2-1, but scored nine runs on eight hits to take a 10-2 lead. With two outs, and runners on first and second, senior Jim Girolamo (Wayland, Mass./Wayland) laced single up the middle to plate sophomore Philip Espinosa (Commack, N.Y./St. Anthony's) who singled to right to start the rally.
Then senior Doug Anderson (Randolph, N.J./Delbarton) singled to centerfield to bring in Schappert who singled through the right side of the Iona (12-38, 8-14 MAAC) infield. The next hitter for the Stags was senior John Scaife (Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia) singled up the middle to plate Girolamo.
With two outs and the bases loaded, freshman Dave Jermine (North Haven, Conn./Notre Dame) was hit by pitch, which allowed Anderson to score. Sophomore Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) then drew a walk to plate Scaife. Then after the second pitching change of the inning, sophomore Tyler Birrittella (Tarrytown, N.Y./Sleepy Hollow) walked to score sophomore Albie DeSimone (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial).
The Stags kept the pressure on as Espinosa roped a single to right center field to bring home Allen and Jermine. After a wild pitch which put runners on second and third, Schappert's single to left brought home Birrittella for the ninth run of the inning.
Iona would add another run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Schappert and four other Fairfield players recorded multi-hit games for the Stags as Espinosa went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Girolamo went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Scaife also went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI.
Graduate student Paul DeMarco (Honeoye Falls, N.Y./Duke University) picked up his fourth win for the Stags pitching six innings and gave up two unearned runs.
In the first game of the day, the Stags took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Jermine laced a one-out single up the middle, then after a pop-out, freshman George Lisi (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell) singled to right center to put runners on first and third. With Schappert at the plate, Jermine scored on a wild pitch.
The Gaels tied it in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-out double from Joe Lorenzo to score Ralph Marzella. It would remain that way until the eighth inning when a hit and an error pushed across the wining runs.
Jermine went 2-for-4 with a run scored, and DeSimone went 2-for-3 to lead Fairfield at the plate. Junior Ed Kamintzky (Astoria, N.Y./Regis) was tagged with the loss as he gave up one earned run on eight hits and four strikeouts.
The series will conclude on Sunday afternoon with a nine-inning game at Salesian Field. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m.
