Baseball Drops Two Against Le Moyne

The Stags lost to Le Moyne in today’s doubleheader 4-2 and 2-0, falling to 3-2 in the MAAC.

Both games were real pitcher’s duels. In game one, Fairfield junior Ryan Calabrese went eight strong innings, but Le Moyne ace Bobby Blevins proved too much for the Stags, fanning 10 on the day. In game two, Fairfield freshman Rob Gariano pitched a beauty, giving up only five hits but getting no run support.

Fairfield is now 4-12 overall. The Stags will continue conference play against Niagara with a Sunday matinee game.

For more thoughts on today's game, check the Stags’ Other Sports blog on Sunday.

-Frank Romano

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield at Le Moyne

Site: Syracuse, N.Y.
Time: Saturday, 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
4-10 Overall
3-0 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sat. Game 1: R. Calabrese (RHP, 2-2, 2.96)
Sat. Game 2: R. Gariano (RHP, 1-2, 6.28)
Sun: E. Kamintzky (LHP, 1-1, 4.50)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Mike Weiner, C, 6-0, Jr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Patrick Hoban, 2B, 5-11, Jr.
David Dudish, 3B, 6-2, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Bill Rafferty, CF, 6-1, Fr.
Brian Rudolph, OF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

LE MOYNE
6-14 Overall
2-1 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sat. Game 1: B. Blevins (RHP, 1-2, 4.35)
Sat. Game 2: E. Beaulac (RHP, 1-1, 5.25)
Sun: B. Otto (RHP, 0-4, 7.40)

-Frank Romano

Men's Tennis Wins Third Straight Match

The men's tennis team continued its hot streak with a win over the Fordham Rams in Fairfield on Thursday, 7-0. The Stags battled harsh winds to sweep the Rams and improve to 8-5 on the season.

The Stags won all seven matches, as Jon Fernando `07, Ryan Berthod `10, Zach Morrison `07, Glen Gannon `09, Balazs Szilka `08, and Chip Palumbo `09 all picked up singles victories.

Fernando and Palumbo, Gannon and Szilka, and Berthod and Morrison teamed up to pick up the three doubles victories.

The Stags stay at home to face Niagara at noon on Saturday March 31 and then face Siena on Sunday at noon as well.

-Tom Cleary

Baseball Falls to Central Connecticut, 11-2

The Stags lost 11-2 to Central Connecticut today at Balf-Savin Field in New Britain, Conn. The loss drops Fairfield to 4-10 on the year.

Blue Devils’ hurler Ken Kerski quieted the Stag bats, allowing just two hits in five innings of work. Fairfield played sloppily in the field, making five errors.

Fairfield freshman Rick Piccirillo got the loss, yielding 11 runs in four innings, only four of which were earned.

For more thoughts on Thursday’s game, check the Stags’ Other Sports blog on Friday.

-Frank Romano

Softball Wins One, Loses One Against Yale

The Fairfield softball team split today's double-header with Yale, winning game one 8-5 but losing game two, 5-2.

Quality pitching by senior Cagney Ringnalda and big hits up and down the lineup powered the Stags to victory in game one.

The second game got out of hand early, as Yale jumped in front with a four-run first inning. The Stags scratched out a run in the fourth and another in the seventh before falling.

For more thoughts on today's games, check the Stags' Other Sports blog on Friday.

-Michelle Morrison

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield at Central Connecticut State

Site: New Britain, Conn.
Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m.
Where to Listen: http://ccsubluedevils.cstv.com/multimedia/webbroadcast.html

FAIRFIELD
4-9 Overall
3-0 MAAC Conference

PITCHING PROBABLES
Dan Gallagher, SO. (0-1, 8.53 ERA)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Mike Weiner, C, 6-0, Jr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Patrick Hoban, 2B, 5-11, Jr.
David Dudish, 3B, 6-2, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Matt Tiagwad, OF, 5-10, Fr.
Brian Rudolph, OF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

Central Conn. State
6-3 Overall
0-0 NEC

Stags Baseball Notes:


Junior pitcher Ryan Calabrese was named Pitcher of the Week by Gotham Baseball Magazine for his performance against Niagara in a complete game victory on Sunday. Calabrese was also named to the College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll earlier this week.

-Tom Cleary

Softball splits doubleheader against Yale

The softball team split down the middle today against Yale, winning the first match 8-5 but falling in the second 5-2.

The Stags started off with a bang, coming into the bottom of the second with a 6 point lead due to three quick fielding outs in the first and a pair of fantastic home runs by Cagney Ringnalda '07 and Dani Griswold '10.

The action calmed down in the 3rd and the 4th as neither team could find a handhold, but Yale struck back in the 5th with a series of singles that led three batters around the diamond.

In the top of the 6th, Kristen D'Alessandro '08 and Kristie Trifiolis '10 both banged out home runs to bring in two more runs for the Stags and the victory.

In the second game, Fairfield fell flat in the first and let up 4 runs to Yale.

The team spent the rest of the game playing catchup, with the first run coming in with an RBI by Breanne Morschauser '08 of Ringnalda.

After the first inning it seemed like a pitcher standoff, as Meghan Borst '10 faced off against Yale's Holly Gutterud and neither team let up more than two runs. The game ended with a score of 5-2, Yale.

-Michelle Morrison

Crew And Softball Updates

Check the Stags' Other Sports blog for updates on these two sports.

-Chris Simmons

Baseball Preview: Fairfield Stags vs. UConn Huskies

Site: Alumni Diamond-Fairfield, Conn.
Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
4-8 Overall
3-0 MAAC Conference

PITCHING PROBABLES
K. Fico (RHP, 0-1, 5.25 ERA)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Mike Weiner, C, 6-0, Jr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Patrick Hoban, 2B, 5-11, Jr.
David Dudish, 3B, 6-2, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, LF, 6-1, Fr.
Bill Rafferty, CF, 6-1, Fr.
Brian Rudolph, RF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

UCONN
8-10 Overall
2-1 Big East

PITCHING PROBABLES
B. McGinn (RHP, 2-1, 4.30 ERA)

-Frank Romano

Penn State takes down #12 Men's Lax

In their first loss of the season, Fairfield fell victim to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday afternoon, 10-7.

The Stags now find themselves at 5-1 on the season (1-1 ECAC) and are set to faced Hobart and Georgetown, two challanging away games, in the next few contests.

For more, stay tuned to the Mirror Sports Blog and an exclusive story in Mirror Monday.

- Keith Connors

Baseball Beats Niagara, Moves To 1-0 In MAAC

The Stags opened league play with a 1-0 victory today against the Niagara Purple Eagles.

The game was a real pitchers' duel, as Fairfield junior right-hander Ryan Calabrese went toe-to-toe with Niagara righty Mike Wilson '08.

Calabrese pitched a complete game shutout and freshman David Dudish drove in the only run of the day.

Fairfield moves to 1-0 in the MAAC and 2-8 overall. Niagara drops to 0-1 in the league and 6-8 overall.

The Stags will continue conference play against Niagara with a twinbill on Monday.

For a full game recap and more thoughts on today's game, check www.fairfieldmirror.com this afternoon.

-Frank Romano

Baseball Preview: Weekend Series vs. Niagara

Site: Houlihan Park, Bronx, NY
Time: Sunday 9 A.M., Doubleheader starting at noon Monday

FAIRFIELD
1-8 Overall
0-0 MAAC Conference

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sun: E. Kamintzky (LHP)
Mon. Game 1: R. Gariano (RHP)
Mon Game 2: R. Calabrese (RHP)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Philip Espinosa, C, 5-10, Sr.
Michael Joyce, 1B, 6-1, So.
Dave Jermine, 2B, 5-7, So.
David Dudish, 3B, 6-2, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, LF, 6-1, Fr.
Bill Rafferty, CF, 6-1, Fr.
Brian Rudolph, RF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

Niagara

Overall: 6-7
MAAC: 0-0

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sun.: Mark Wilson (3-2, 3.90 ERA)
Mon. Game 1: Mark Ircandia (2-2, 6.11 ERA)
Mon. Game 2: Ryan Virtue (1-0, 9.00 ERA)

-Tom Cleary

Men's and Women's Tennis Both Fall in Home Openers

It was a much different atmosphere than the Stags had played in just a week before, when they were outside in the beautiful Florida weather. They opened their outdoor season not on their home court on the Fairfield campus, but indoors at the Stamford Indoor Tennis Courts. The women and men both lost their home openers, the women to Fordham 7-0 and the men to Boston University, 5-2.

The women could not pick up a win against the tough Fordham squad, while Ryan Berthod picked up a 6-2, 6-2 win at second singles and Glen Gannon won 6-3,6-4 at six singles. Junior Balasz Szilka, last week's MAAC Player of the Week, fell in a close match 6-3, 6-2. Gabriela Davila, the women's MAAC Player of the Week had her four match win streak ended.

Both teams slipped to 5-4 on the year.

-Tom Cleary

Dianne Nolan to Step Aside

Fairfield Women's basketball Head Coach Dianne Nolan has resigned after 28 years of coaching the Stags. Nolan posted a 456-359 record for her career. More coverage to follow on the Mirror Sports Blog and fairfieldmirror.com.

Men's Lacrosse Moves to #12

After a 2-0 week and a thrilling upset of then #11 (now #17) Bucknell, the Fairfield Stags moved up the USILA Poll to its highest ever ranking, 12th in the nation. The Stags were also ranked #14 in the country in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll.

The Stags are now 5-0 and one of only four top 20 teams who remain undefeated.

Mike Bocklet led the Stags in their two victories, scoring 14 goals and racking up 7 assists. CSTV lacrosse analyst Paul Carcaterra called Bocklet "the answer" for Fairfield in naming him the Offensive Player of the Week in the nation.

For more coverage on the Stags, check back all week long, especially on Thursday when we recap the Stags spring break lacrosse action, including reaction from Coach Ted Spencer and the players, in print and at www.fairfieldmirror.com

No. 20 LAX stays undefeated

After the thrilling defeat of No. 11 Bucknell, the Stags didn't rest and continued their winning ways against the winless Harvard Crimson. Fairfield won the contest 18-11 to move to 5-0 on the season.

The biggest efforts were put in by Mike Bocklet and Travis Nelson. Bocklet scored five goals and had three assists while Nelson netted four goals and four assists. Greg Downing also continued his scoring prowess with three goals and ten shots.

For the full recap, visit fairfieldmirror.com.

Softball Wins Two

The Stags opened the Aztec Classic with two wins on Friday, the first over Miami (OH) and the second in the nightcap versus Iona.

The first game was close throughout as Miami (OH) and Fairfield traded scores. Eventually, the Stags broke through with a two-run inning in the top of the fourth, only to have the Redhawks come back to score four in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. However, Fairfield was able to put two on the board in the top of the seventh and hold Miami to get the win. Senior Cagney Ringnalda pitched the entire game and had a pair of hits as well.

In the nightcap, Fairfield beat previously undefeated Iona by the score of 6-5. The Stags were behind early 5-1, but were able to put runs on the board in each of the last three innings to come back. They won on a single by freshman Meghan Borst with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. Borst also pitched the last four innings to record the win.

Fairfield will continue to play in the tournament on Saturday against Fordham and San Diego State.

-Chris Simmons

Softball Loses Fourth Straight

The Fairfield softball team fell to 1-6 after dropping all three of its games so far in California. Playing in San Diego, Fairfield lost once to San Diego State (11-4) and twice to the University of San Diego (14-4, 4-3). The Stags will continue with a double-header Friday and Saturday and a single game on Sunday to finish off their Spring Break trip.

The first game was full of errors by the Stags. Fairfield committed four errors which led to six unearned runs. Senior Cagney Ringnalda allowed 11 runs in five innings, but only five were earned.

The next game was not much better. The Stags allowed San Diego to score six times in one inning, en route to their blowout loss. The game only lasted five innings as Fairfield was behind by 10 runs, putting the slaughter rule into effect.

The nightcap was much closer, as the Stags battled the entire game before falling. Juniors Julia Jacoby and Erin Frank each drove a runner home in the third inning as Fairfield took a 3-1 lead. However, San Diego came right back to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Toreros provided the winning margin with a homerun.

The Stags return to play Friday in the Aztec Classic, hosted by San Diego State University.

-Chris Simmons

Baseball Struggles in Florida

The weather in Florida may be hot, but so far the Stags' play in the south has been cold. The Stags are 0-3 midway through their seven-game Spring Break trip. Fairfield has lost to Northern Iowa, Vermont and Bucknell, with only the Vermont loss a close game.

Fairfield still has four games remaining, including a double header today against Vermont and Miami (OH), and will look to come back to Connecticut on a hot streak.

Against Northern Iowa, Fairfield started strong by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Panthers would hold the Stags scoreless for the next eight innings on the way to a 13-2 victory.

A single by junior infielder Albie DeSimone started the game for Fairfield and a single by the next batter, second baseman Dave Jermine `09 gave the Stags runners on first and second. They then loaded the bases when Brian Rudolph `08 laid down a sacrifice bunt, but was able to beat out the throw to first. Jason Rago and Peter Allen had a hit and fielder's choice, respectively, to make the score 2-0 Stags.

Fairfield fell apart after three innings of scoreless play, as junior Ryan Calabrese held the Panthers scoreless until three errors and a balk allowed five unearned runs to cross the plate.

The Stags' closest game came in a 9-8 extra innings loss to Vermont. Fairfield broke out with a four run 10th inning to make the score 8-4, but the Catamounts roared back with four runs of their own to tie it and then won in the 11th inning.

Allen continued his success with a 4-6 night and two RBI.

Senior pitcher Ed Kamintzky had his best start of the early season, striking out six batters, allowing four runs (two earned) and just six hits in six innings of work.

On the same day that the men's lacrosse team upset the 11th ranked Bucknell Bison, the baseball team did not fare as well against Bucknell, as the Stags lost 12-3, their fourth straight loss.

The Stags will look for revenge today against Vermont and a win against Miami (OH) before a final game against Army tomorrow. Fairfield then returns home to the northeast for a matchup with St. John's in New York on Mar. 20.

-Tom Cleary

#20 Stags Upset #11 Bucknell

The Stags picked up one of the most impressive victories in school history with a 13-7 win over Bucknell. Fairfield was led by six goals by senior Mike Bocklet, who now has a team-high 11 goals on the year.

Fairfield held a 5-2 lead at halftime, but allowed Bucknell to score 3 goals to tie the game in the third. With five minutes left in the third, Bocklet scored to break the tie heading into the final quarter. After trading two goals, the Stags opened up the game with five goals, while allowing just one by the Bison to win 13-7.

For more, see www.fairfieldmirror.com.

Tennis on Top

It was a big couple of days for Stags' tennis as the men swept Michigan Tech. 7 - 0 while the women defeated Merrimack 6 - 1. The win brings the men to a 4-2 overall record while the women are in the same boat at 4 - 2 as well. Both teams are on their annual Spring Break trips for Orlando and will continue for the next week before heading back.

Rolling LAX

Despite the Spring Break week, there will be updates on the Mirror Sports Blog. Here's a quick update on how LAX has fared:
Women's LAX Roll to Two Straight - The Stags have won back to back games, defeated LIU 17-10 in New York on Thursday, followed by a home victory against Wagner today, 13-7.
Men's LAX Continue to Dominate - In their first ECAC match, the Stags defeated Rutgers 14-10 at Fairfield today. The Stags are 3 - 0 on the season.

Kruger Named ECAC Defensive Player of the Week

The ECAC named Stags goalie Mike Kruger `07 the Defensive Player of the Week after he helped Fairfield defeat Dartmouth on Saturday in New Hampshire. Kruger stopped 12 shots in the 11-8 victory, making five saves.

Kruger is 2-0 so far this season, facing 58 shots and recording 22 saves. His goals against average of 6.50 is the second best in the league.

Fairfield will look to move to 3-0 in its first ECAC game of the year, against Rutgers on Mar. 10 at home in Fairfield.

Peter Allen Named MAAC Baseball Player of the Week

Peter Allen '08 was named MAAC Player of the Week after going 6-12 (.500) in batting average, accounting for three doubles, two home runs, five RBI's, and four runs scored against Delaware State.

The Stags head to Florida for Spring Break and spring training trip. They face Northern Iowa on March 11.

Stag scores...

Now that basketball is over, back to Spring Sports:

Men's LAX: defeated Dartmouth 11 - 8 today. Recap to follow on Men's LAX blog by Keith Connors.
Women's LAX: lost to B.C. 19 - 7. Analyis by Mary Therese on Women's LAX blog.
Baseball: Split double header with Delaware State. Lost first game 8-6 and won second 9-6. Post game analysis coming by Frank Romano.
Softball: lost to UNC 1 - 0 and Liberty University 8 - 0 at Tar Heels Invitational. Day two results coming tonight.

Final from the Harbor: Loyola 75, Fairfield 72

• From us here at the Game Log, we'll see you in '07!
  
• Tonight's Final: Loyola 75, Fairfield 72.
  
• Brown grabs the board and sends it down to the other end of the floor in happiness.
  
• Van Schaick misses a desperation three.
  
• Brown misses the first shot, but hits the second to put the game away.
  
• Mamadou fouls Brown immediately off of the in-bound.
  
• Loyola doesn't like the look on the floor and calls a timeout.
  
• 75-72 Loyola with :08.8 to go and in-bound on the way.
  
• Herbie Allen hits a three in the corner off of a nicely designed play, but it's likely too little, too late.
  
• Alujevic, clutch from the line in the second half, hits both shots. Loyola leads, 75-69.
  
• After a long pass play from the opposite baseline, Anthony Johnson bobbles a pass and then misses the shot. Alujevic grabs the board and goes to the line.
  

- Keith Connors

Hello from the Harbor: FU vs. Loyola (MAAC Quarterfinals)

Greetings from Harbor Yard for tonight's MAAC quarterfinals match-up between the Loyola Greyhounds and your Fairfield Stags!

These two teams squared off twice during the regular season. In the first meeting, it took some late 2nd Half heroics from Michael Van Schaick and Mamadou Diakhate for the Stags to pull it out, defeating their MAAC rivals, 65-62. A week later in Baltimore, the Stags took down a Gerald Brown-less team, finishing off the Grehounds, 67-59.

I'll be glogging this game all night on the Men's Basketball site!

Check it out!

- Keith Connors

Another Update: Marist Advances

In front of a huge student turnout from Marist, the Red Foxes dominated Canisius to advance to the semifinals against Siena tomorrow. Should be a great game, the past two definitely were.


Just enjoyed a nice dinner of beef stew and salad and now its Rider vs Niagara, winner plays the winner of Fairfield vs Loyola.

The arena has completely emptied out following the Marist game, as the attendance went from somewhere around 5000 to maybe 1000.

More to come as the night goes on.

-Tom Cleary

Update From The Harbor

There's not much better than a day full of college basketball. Already we've seen one thrilling game between Siena and Manhattan, won by three, 75-72, by the Saints. The Jaspers came close to knocking off Siena, but the Saints held on and will move on to play the winner of Marist and Canisius, which is up next.

An amazing amount of Marist students made the trip down from Poughkeepsie, turning the Harbor into what Ben Doody called, "McCann Center South"

Should be a great game, more to come later and of course look for a live game log by Keith Connors at ten tonight when the Stags take on Loyola.

-Tom Cleary

-Siena goes back to its 2-3 zone.

-Chris and James

-Siena is back to playing man to open the half.

-Chris and James

Halftime Report: FU 27, SC 25

-So far only four Stags have scored, but they haven't needed to with Sabra scoring 19 points in the half on 8 of 13 shooting. This is the same total as the last time she faced Siena, when she scored a school record 36 points. She also has three steals.

-The Stags are in foul trouble though: Sabra has two, Baendu has two, Geehan has three, and Meka has two.

-Siena is shooting 40% and ended the half on a little bit of a run. Siena's 2-3 zone has also forced the Stags to shoot 11 from behind the arc. Unfortunately, they've only hit two, both by Sabra.

-For more check back during the game at the Women's Basketball blog and following the game as well.

-Chris and James

Men's Basketball First Round: Fairfield Stags vs. Loyola Greyhounds

Site: The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn.
Time: Saturday, 10 p.m.

FAIRFIELD (13-18, 10-8 MAAC)

Jonathan Han, G, 6-0, So., 7.7 ppg, 140 assists – 10 points, 9 boards, 5 assists last Sunday vs. Saint Peter’s

Mike Van Schaick, G, 6-2, Sr., 15.1 ppg, 58 assists –2007 All-MAAC second team

Devin Johnson, G, 6-7, Fr., 2.5 ppg, 23 assists– Finished season with 22 steals

Anthony Johnson, C, 6-8, Fr., 8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg – Notched 7 points vs. Peacocks

Greg Nero, F, 6-7, Fr., 9.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg –2007 MAAC All-Rookie

LOYOLA (17-12, 12-6 MAAC)

Gerald Brown, G, 6-4, Jr., 22.1 ppg, 70 assists – 2007 MAAC Player of the Year candidate

Brett Harvey, G, 6-0, Fr., 7.4 ppg, 120 assists – Notched 6 points last Sunday vs. Canisius

Marquis Sullivan, G, 6-1, So., 13.2 ppg, 27 assists – 2007 All-MAAC third team

Omari Isreal, F, 6-8, Jr., 9.3 ppg, 6.o rpg – Team-high 13 points vs. Fairfield in last outing

Josko Alujevic, F, 6-7, Sr., 8.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg – 9 points, 5 boards on Sunday

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

GREYHOUND GROWLS: The Greyhounds played well throughout the whole year, only getting swept once – by Fairfield in early February. The second loss, at home, especially stung. After that, Loyola went on to win three of its last four conference games. Look for the Greyhounds to be on the prowl, ready to play with intensity for the entire game.

FAIRFIELD FIRE: While the Stags lost two out of their last three MAAC games, they finished the regular season with authority, coming from behind to beat St. Peter’s. The fire, the will to win, is there – especially in the seniors, who have stepped up tremendously for Fairfield. Look for the Stags to build off last game’s strong play and come at the Greyhounds with all they have.

-Frank Romano

MAAC Countdown

A mere hours remain before the big MAAC tournament weekend at the Arena. The men don't square off till Saturday while the women take to the court tomorrow. On going game logs and updates all weekend. So stay tuned...