Jan. 19, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University baseball team took the field for the first practice of the 2006 season on Thursday afternoon. The Stags were able to take advantage of the mild January weather for a workout on Alumni Field. The 2006 campaign begins with a three-game series at James Madison University February 24-26.
Head Coach John Slosar enters his 22 season as the Fairfield skipper, and will lean on 22 returning letter winners, including a first-team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) selection, senior shortstop Doug Anderson (Randolph, N.J./Delbarton) this season. Anderson hit .292 with two homeruns and 27 runs batted in 2005, and was equally effective with the glove, as he posted a .975 fielding percentage.
Also returning to the fold are senior first baseman John Scaife (Ansonia, Conn./Ansonia), and senior catcher Tom Arpino (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian). Scaife led the team with seven homeruns and 47 RBI, and was fifth in the MAAC in both categories. Arpino has been a fixture behind the plate for the Stags, as he has started 81-of-99 career games, and has thrown out 48 base runners in the last two seasons. At the plate, Arpino smacked a career-high five homeruns and 32 RBI.
On the mound, junior lefty Ed Kamintzky (Astoria, N.Y./Regis), who led the staff with a 4.26 ERA last season returns, as well as senior Dan Breen (Troy, N.Y./Troy). Breen set a school-record for appearances last year with 22. The right-hander was effective out of the bullpen recording four saves.
In addition, the Stags will also have the services of graduate student Paul DeMarco (Honeoye Falls, N.Y./Duke University). DeMarco appeared in 33 games over the course of two years, and struck out 61 batters in 79.1 innings on the hill.
Fairfield finished the 2005 season with a 15-33 overall record, and a 13-14 mark in the MAAC. The 2006 home opener is slated for Tuesday, March 21 against St. John's. Last year the Stags defeated the Red Storm in a slugfest, 18-13. First pitch for the home opener is slated for 3 p.m.
Notes... Space is still available for the Winter Prospect and Instructional Clinic. The two one-day sessions will be held at the Walsh Athletic Center on Saturday, Jan. 28, and Sunday Feb. 12. The camp is open to high school students. For more information regarding the camp or for enrollment please call (203) 254-4000, ext. 3178.
