March 2, 2004
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University baseball team will begin its 52nd season on the diamond this weekend with a three-game series in Baltimore, Md., against UMBC. The Stags and Retrievers will take part in a doubleheader at Joe Cannon Stadium, in Baltimore, on Saturday afternoon with first pitch slated for 12 p.m. The Stags will finish the three-game set on Sunday with a nine-inning game, at the Baseball Factory Field on the UMBC Campus. First pitch on Sunday is 3 p.m.
The all-time series with the Retrievers is tied at 2-2, with the Stags taking two games of a three-game series, last season. On March 16, of 2003, the Stags swept a twinbill with UMBC pounding out 21 hits off UMBC pitching, while crossing the plate 16 times in the two games.
In the first game of the doubleheader the Stags broke the ice in the top of the third inning off a double to left field from Doug Anderson, to drive home Jim Girolamo.
The Stags bats went to work again in the fourth inning when John Scaife smacked a double to centerfield to bring Andy Lynn home from third. Anderson followed lofting a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Tom Arpino.
In the fifth, Sal Mancuso brought home Greg Batista with an error by the UMBC shortstop.
However, UMBC would cross the plate three times in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4 going into the final inning. Fairfield would put some offense together in the top of the seventh inning when Lynn had a RBI single to score Batista. Arpino gave Fairfield a two-run cushion by reaching on a fielder's choice, brining home Barnett who reached base with a walk.
Matt Thiffault would pick up his first win of the season, in relief of starter Pablo Tamayo. The Natick, Mass native, gave up only three hits and no runs in one-and-a-third innings of work. Tamayo pitched 5.1 innings of work giving up four runs on seven hits, with two walks, and two strike outs.
In the nightcap, Fairfield would score three runs in the second inning and would not look back, pounding out 15 hits in game 2. Anderson would go 3-for-6 in the second game with a homerun, two doubles, two runs batted in, and a run scored. Six Fairfield players would collect at least two hits in the nightcap, including five hitters with a double.
Tim Dugan would go the distance to collect his first win of the 2003 season. The New Jersey native gave up five runs, three which were earned, on nine hits and two walks, while striking out two batters.
UMBC enters this week; having already played six games, and will play eight before the Stags come to town. The Retrievers will hit the road for single games at Navy, and Georgetown March 2 and 3. UMBC enters a new league in 2004 moving from the Northeast Conference (NEC) to the America East. Last season, it was 20-27 overall and 15-12 in the NEC.
After the three-game series with UMBC, the Stags will begin spring break in the "Sunshine State" with five games in Bradenton, Fla. Fairfield opens its southern swing against Northern Illinois on March 14. March 15, the Stags will face Miami (Ohio), followed by Bucknell on March 16, Columbia on March 17, and Dartmouth on March 18.
Fairfield will open the home portion of its schedule on March 20, with a doubleheader against Stony Brook. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. on Alumni Diamond.
