Fairfield Defeats Baseball; Series Schedule Changed Due to Rain

Box Score Fairfield took advantage of a nine-run first inning as it cruised to an 18-1 win over Canisius in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Friday at the Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Stags stretched their winning streak to five games with the win, improving to 17-7 on the season with a 6-1 conference ledger. The Griffs fell to 4-16 and 2-5 in MAAC play.

Fairfield's Ben Alekson was credited the win after 6.0 innings of work, allowing only one run and scattering four hits. Canisius freshman Brian Smith took his second loss of the season after surrendering six runs in the first inning.

Multiple Stags turned in multi-hit performances, led by JP Kuczik, who went 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored. Luke Nomura punctuated the nine-run first inning with a grand slam while Matt Bucciero scored five times for the Stags after reaching base on two hit by pitches, a walk and two hits.

For Canisius, senior Trent Rumley tallied the lone run of the contest for Canisius, hitting a solo home run in the home half of the fourth inning. Five other griffs recorded hits but were unable to connect with runners on, leaving 11 stranded on the base paths.

Fairfield opened the game by immediately loading the bases on pair of walks and a hit batsmen. From there, the Stags began to drive runners home with their bats, with a sacrifice fly from Tyler Kipp and RBI singles from Kuczik and Tj Schmaltz to account for the first four runs fo the frame. A walk with the bases loaded brought home another run, before Nomura puncuated the frame with his grand slam.

The Stags added insurance runs in the second and fourth innings. Fairfield put up four more runs in the sixth to increase its lead to 15-1. In the ninth, an RBI single from Kuczik and an RBI double from Dominic Gabardi put the final score at 18-1.

GAME NOTES
• Rumley set a career high in home runs with his fourth of the season.
• Freshman Noah Albano went a career high 4.1 innings in relief. Sophomore Austin Kutz also set a career high in innings pitched with 3.1 innings of work.
• Sophomore JC Spinosa increased his hitting streak to a career-long six games. Rumley and redshirt sophomore Thomas Zwirecki increased their hitting streaks to five games while junior Mason Cisco is on a four-game hitting streak.
• Today's contest marks the seventh game this season where the Griffs have been held to one run or less.
• Junior Tommy Sheridan was hit by two pitches today. He is tied for the team lead with redshirt senior Josh Niles with seven on the season.

UP NEXT
Due to rain in the forecast Friday evening, the previously planned doubleheader for Friday was moved to Saturday. The Griffs and Stags will play two games tomorrow, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Mason Cisco: INF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R

#35 Austin Kutz: RHP; 6' 6"; Freshman; R/R

#24 Josh Niles: INF; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#1 Trent Rumley: INF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#15 JC Spinosa: INF/OF; 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R

#33 Thomas Zwirecki: C; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R

#19 Noah Albano: RHP; 6' 4"; Freshman

#40 Brian Smith: RHP; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Mason Cisco
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R
: INF

#35 Austin Kutz
: 6' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP

#24 Josh Niles
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: INF

#1 Trent Rumley
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#15 JC Spinosa
: 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R
: INF/OF

#33 Thomas Zwirecki
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R
: C

#19 Noah Albano
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: RHP

#40 Brian Smith
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: RHP