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