May 19, 2006
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Fairfield University baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning, to take the rubber-game of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series against Siena College, Friday afternoon at Siena Field. The game was originally scheduled for 12 p.m., but rain in the Capital District delayed it almost two hours.
With two outs and a runner on second base, senior John Scaife (Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia) singled through the right side of the infield to plate senior Jim Girolamo (Wayland, Mass./Wayland) for the first run of the inning.
Senior Doug Anderson (Randolph, N.J./Delbarton) recorded his third hit of the afternoon, and freshman Dave Jermine (North Haven, Conn./Notre Dame) walked, to load the bases, for sophomore Peter Allen (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck). Allen drove a 1-2 pitch to centerfield, allowing Anderson and Scaife to score the go-ahead runs.
Fairfield (18-29, 12-14 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as junior Brian Schappert (Wyckoff, N.J./Saint Joseph's University) doubled to left, and after moving to third on a groundout, scored when sophomore Albie DeSimone (Pelham, N.Y./Pelham Memorial) reached on an error by the Siena (23-31-1, 12-15 MAAC) second baseman.
But in the home half of the first, the Saints scored two runs on two hits and an error to take a 2-1 lead. Gabe Perez singled and eventually scored on a failed pickoff attempt. Bill Lazio's single plated Scott King.
Fairfield tied it in the third, when attempting a double steal, the Siena catcher's throw went into centerfield, allowing DeSimone to score. The Pelham, N.Y. native singled with one out and stole second base, and then stole third and went home on the error.
Siena made it 3-2 in the bottom of the third, with a sacrifice fly by Nick Messinger's sacrifice fly.
With a runner on and one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Perez homered to put the Saints up 5-2.
In the fifth, DeSimone drew a one-out walk, then Scaife singled, and Anderson walked to load the bases for Jermine who pinch-hit for sophomore Tyler Birrittella (Tarrytown, N.Y./Sleepy Hollow). Jermine walked, scoring DeSimone.
In the ninth, Fairfield's three straight sharp hit singles, proved to be the difference in scoring the game-winning runs. In the bottom of the ninth, Siena's Jake Willis singled, and was thrown out at second off a nice throw by Jermine in left.
Senior Dan Breen (Troy, N.Y./Troy) pitched two innings of one-hit ball to record his fourth win of the season. Breen became Fairfield's all-time leader in appearances with 56, passing Scott Larkin (1990-93).
Freshman Doug Ciallella (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) despite a rocky start retired seven of the last 11 batters he faced, while keeping the Stags within striking distance.
Anderson went 3-for-3 with a run scored in his final game for the Stags. Also playing in his final game for Fairfield was Scaife who went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a run batted in.
Girolamo (1-5 with a run), senior Dewey Raymond (Norwalk, Conn./Trinity Catholic) (0-2), and Steve Tyburski (Feasterville, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) (1.0 IP) also closed out their Fairfield careers on Friday.Graduate Student Paul DeMarco (Honeoye Falls, N.Y./Duke University) finished his career, with a start on Thursday.
With the win, the Stags leap-frog, the Saints in the MAAC standings for sixth place. Fairfield finished 12-14, a game ahead of Siena at 12-15, improving upon an eighth place selection in the various preseason polls.
