Women's Golf Places Second, Men Seventh at MAAC Championship

The men's and women's golf teams both participated in the MAAC Championships this past weekend at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.

The women's team had a very successful weekend, finishing in second place, with sophomore Courtney Richardson finishing fourth overall.

The men's team finished in seventh place, with sophomore R.J. Zielinski finishing fifth overall.

The Stags women's team shot a three-day score of 1,029, finishing behind Siena, who shot a 976 over the three days. The men's team shot 312, while the champion Siena team shot 895.

For more on the golf teams, see www.fairfieldmirror.com on Thursday.

-Tom Cleary

Men's Lax Takes Down St. John's In Season Finale

After Fairfield's disasterous slump at the end of the season, the team only had one thing on its mind: a win. Not only would it provide a much needed lift on Senior Day, but it would also cure many of the Stags' mental woes by finishing the season over .500.

The Stags responded, defeating the St. John's Red Storm 13-6 at Lessing Field.

Senior Greg Downing scored two goals in the game, becoming the second person in school history to score 100 goals in his career.

More to come!

-Keith Connors

Baseball Team Pulls Out 6-5 Win

After a sweep of Iona two weeks ago, it looked like the Stags baseball team was headed back on the right track. But then Fairfield hit another slide and dropped five straight games, including a three game series to MAAC rival Canisius.

The losses to Canisius moved the Stags back from the fourth spot in the MAAC standings to sixth place, with a 6-8 conference record, two games back of third place Rider (8-6).

On Wedensday Fairfield may have been able to regain some momentum, with a victory over Central Connecticut State at Alumni Diamond in Fairfield. The Stags battled the weather to pick up a walk-off win, 6-5.

The Stags entered the ninth, trailing 5-3. The inning started poorly, as Dave Jermine `09 flied out and Matt Tiagwad `10 struck out. Junior DH Peter Allen singled and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Fellow junior Mike Weiner walked, then Brian Rudolph and Jason Rago were both hit by pitches, allowing Allen to score.

Junior Pat Hoban came up as a pinch hitter and drove in two runs on a single down the left field line to end the game.

Freshman Mike Fournier picked up his first win of his career, despite blowing a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth. The Stags received a solid outing from sophomore Doug Ciallella, who allowed just three hits in five innings of work, while striking out eight Blue Devils.

Fairfield now heads into an important three game series against MAAC rival Siena this weekend in Fairfield. Siena has a 3-8 record and sits in eighth place in the conference.

-Tom Cleary

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield vs. CCSU

Site: Alumni Diamond- Fairfield, CT
Time: Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
9-22 Overall
6-8 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
D. Ciallella (RHP, 1-2, 4.65 ERA)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Philip Espinosa, C, 5-10, Sr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Dave Jermine, 2B, 5-7, So.
Matt Tiagwad, 3B, 5-10, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Adam Chilelli, OF, 5-11, Jr.
Brian Rudolph, OF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

CCSU
15-11 Overall
6-6 NEC

PITCHING PROBABLES
M. Gianini (LHP, 1-4, 4.78)

-Frank Romano

Softball Sweeps Georgetown

The Fairfield softball team won both games of a doubleheader against Georgetown today.

The day started off shaky, as Georgetown's #1 pitcher stymied the Stags' offense, allowing only one run through the first six innings. The Stags managed to take back the game in the seventh with a rally started by Jessica Stand '10. The game ended at 4-3.

Keeping up the momentum in game two, Julia Jacoby '08 slammed a triple to start off the first inning. In her first full game pitching as a Stag, Jen Gilbert '10 allowed only four hits. Fairfield took home the game with a score of 5-0.

The Stags face off against Siena on Tuesday.

-Michelle Morrison

Softball Wins One, Loses One To Rider

Softball faced off against Rider University yesterday in an away doubleheader.

The girls started off strong, scoring six runs in the second inning alone. Julia Jacoby '08, Erin Frank '08 and Riannon Thomas '08 led the team to an outstanding 10-0 victory.

Once again in game two however, the girls could not keep up the pressure. Rider turned up the heat in the sixth and the seventh and won the game, 4-3.

The girls return on Sunday at home against Georgetown at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

-Michelle Morrison

Baseball Falls To Canisius

The Fairfield baseball team lost both games of a Saturday doubleheader against Canisius, dropping the Stags to 9-20 overall and 6-7 in the MAAC.

The Fairfield bats went quiet in game one, as the Stags scratched out only two hits and lost 11-1.

The offense struggled again in game two. The Stags notched only three hits.

Fairfield takes the field again today at 3 p.m. for its final game versus Canisius.

For more thoughts on baseball, check the Other Sports blog.

-Frank Romano

Men's Lax Routed By Loyola, 19-2

Desperately needing a win to stay in the hunt in the ECAC, the Stags headed into Baltimore, Md. with a hope of ending their losing streak.

Loyola, though, had other plans.

The Greyhounds came out of the gate with five first quarter goals (three on extra man offense) and didn't look back, routing Fairfield, 19-2, essentially ending any hope for the team to reach the postseason. Such a loss is especially disappointing given the importance of this game after tough losses to UNC and Georgetown in the past few weeks.

Senior goalie and team leader Mike Kruger was pulled in favor of backup Piet Dudley.

The Stags now fall to 1-4 in ECAC play.

For more information and commentary, stay tuned to the Mirror Sports blog and an exclusive game story in Mirror Monday.

- Keith Connors

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield at Canisius

Site: Demske Sports Complex, Buffalo, N.Y.
Time: Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
9-18 Overall
6-5 MAAC Conference

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sat. Game 1: R. Calabrese (RHP, 3-4, 3.94 ERA)
Sat. Game 2: R. Gariano (RHP, 2-4, 4.18 ERA)
Sun: E. Kamintzky (LHP, 2-2, 4.13 ERA)

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

CANISIUS
7-27 Overall
2-8 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sat. Game 1: M. Goemans (LHP, 1-2, 5.21 ERA)
Sat. Game 2: A. MacKenzie (RHP, 1-6, 7.68 ERA)
Sun: M. Bax (RHP, 2-0, 5.00 ERA)

-Frank Romano

Softball Preview: Fairfield at Columbia

Time: 4 p.m.

FAIRFIELD

Overall: 9-18
MAAC: 3-3

Recent games:

6-2 and 5-3 losses to Marist
10-0 and 9-3 losses to Providence

Big at bat: Meghan Borst '10, Kristie Trifiolis '10, Erin Frank '08
Big on the mound: Cagney Ringnalda '07, Meghan Borst '10

-Michelle Morrison

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield at Yale

Site: Yale Field, New Haven, CT
Time: Wednesday, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
8-17 Overall
6-5 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
Game One: D. Ciallella (RHP, 1-1, 4.44 ERA)
Game Two: K. Fico (RHP, 0-3, 7.20)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Philip Espinosa, C, 5-10, Sr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Patrick Hoban, 2B, 5-11, Jr.
Matt Tiagwad, 3B, 5-10, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Adam Chilelli, OF, 5-11, Jr.
Brian Rudolph, OF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

YALE
10-21 Overall
3-7 Ivy League

PITCHING PROBABLES
Game One: C. Finneran (RHP, 0-1, 10.69)
Game Two: B. Rosenthal (RHP, 1-2, 9.53 ERA)

-Frank Romano

Rain, Rain Go Away

A few notes from around the world of Fairfield athletics on a rainy Sunday here in Stag country:

• The men's lacrosse team toughed it out, playing North Carolina on the turf field at Alumni Field in a downpour and fell to the #10 ranked Tar Heels, 12-8. More to come on the game from Keith Connors on the men's lacrosse blog and on www.fairfieldmirror.com soon.
• The women's lacrosse team also are playing today, Mary Therese Church will have coverage of the game up when it ends.
• The baseball team's third game against Iona was rained out and rescheduled for tomorrow, but with more rain predicted for tomorrow, it may not be played then either.
• Today's baseball game was not the only rain caused casualty. Fairfield Athletic Director Gene Doris fell in the Barone Campus Center earlier today and broke his leg. He was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. Senior Associate Athletic Director Pat Murphy was not sure how Doris was doing, but said he broke is "leg or ankle in two places."
  
• Rumor has it that Doris may be almost ready to decide on the new women's basketball coach. No word on whether or not this injury will delay his decision.

-Tom Cleary

Men's Tennis Ties School Record for Wins

The Stags tennis team continued its successful season with a 7-0 win over Loyola Maryland in Baltimore on Saturday for their second straight win. They also won on Friday, defeating Rider in New Jersey, also 7-0. The two wins move the Stags record to 12-8, closing out the MAAC season with a 4-3 record.

Fairfield finishes up its season on Monday in Philadelphia against Villanova, a non-conference opponent. The 12 wins ties the school record for wins in a season for a third straight year, but the Stags have a good chance of breaking that record with the game against Villanova, as well as the MAAC tournament.

Jonathan Fernando `07, Ryan Berthod `10, Zach Morrison `07, Balazs Szikla `08, Chip Palumbo `09, and Glen Gannon `09 all picked up singles victories in both matches.

Fernando and Palumbo, Gannon and Szikla, and Berthod and Morrison picked up doubles victories on both days as well.

Fairfield is currently in fourth place in the MAAC, but will have to wait for the outcomes of tomorrow's MAAC contests to learn what seed it will have in the tournament, which begins on April 20 in Flushing, NY.

-Tom Cleary

Stags Pitchers Silence Gaels Bats In Doubleheader Sweep

The Stags' baseball team seems to be back on track, recovering from a five game losing streak to sweep the Iona Gaels in a doubleheader at Fairfield on Saturday. The Stags outscored Iona 11-2 in the two games to move to 6-5 in MAAC play, putting them in fourth place in the conference.

Fairfield was led by shortstop Albie DeSimone `08, who had three RBI in the first game of the doubleheader. Junior pitcher Ryan Calabrese pitched seven innings, holding the Gaels to two runs, one earned, while striking out three.

Calabrese is now 3-4 overall and his 3.94 ERA is second among starters, to senior Ed Kamintzky's 3.91 ERA.

The Stags struck first with three runs in the second, all three coming with two outs. Brian Rudolph `08 singled and then advanced to third on a single by Dave Brizzolara `09. Rudolph then scored on a Mike Weiner `08 single. DeSimone picked up his first two RBI on a single of his own to put Fairfield up 3-0.

Peter Allen `08 continued his hot hitting, driving in two runs on a sixth-inning double that put the game out of reach, at 7-2. Game two was another big game for Allen, as it marked the 31st straight game he reached base safely. He reached on a fielder’s choice in the fifth.

Allen has a .395 batting average, 19 RBI, and three home runs to lead the team in all three categories.

Freshman Rob Gariano had his best outing of the season as he pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out six to improve to 2-4 on the season and lower his ERA to 4.18.

The Stags again picked up a run in the second inning, this time on an RBI single from Weiner. Fairfield added a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to secure the win.

Depending on the weather, the Stags will close out their three game set with the Gaels on Sunday. There is a 90 percent chance of precipitation in Fairfield.

Check the Other Sports blog for commentary on the baseball team.

-Tom Cleary

Jamelle Elliott On Campus Today

Jamelle Elliott, an assistant coach under Geno Auriemma at UConn was on campus today with Fairfield Athletic Director Gene Doris. The two were seen in the campus center as Doris gave Elliott a tour of the school.

As previously reported by the Hartford Courant, Elliott was on campus to interview for the women's head basketball job, that was vacated when Dianne Nolan stepped down on March 20.

Elliott has been involved with UConn women's basketball for the past 15 years, including four as a player. In 1995 she was a member of the Huskies team that went 35-0.

She has helped coach post players at UConn under Auriemma, one of the top coaches in the nation. As both a player and a coach she has helped build UConn into one of the top women's basketball programs in the country.

-Tom Cleary

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield vs. Iona

Site: Alumni Baseball Diamond, Fairfield, Conn.
Time: Saturday, 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
6-17 Overall
4-5 MAAC Conference

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sat. Game 1: R. Calabrese (RHP, 2-4, 4.39)
Sat. Game 2: R. Gariano (RHP, 1-4, 5.33)
Sun: E. Kamintzky (LHP, 2-2, 3.91)

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

IONA
9-18 Overall
3-5 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
Sat. Game 1: N. Stanziani (RHP, 1-4, 4.87)
Sat. Game 2: M. Hand (RHP, 3-4, 3.79)
Sun: J. Wiley (LHP, 1-2, 5.58)

-Frank Romano

Softball Falls Hard To Providence

The softball team took a one-two punch knockout yesterday from Providence, losing 9-0 and 10-3.

In the first game, the Stags posted only three hits against Providence pitcher Sara Surosky's unstoppable pitching. Fairfield let up eleven hits over the course of five innings.

Things improved somewhat in the second game, as the Stags came out hard and Meghan Borst '10, Kristie Trifiolis '10 and Erin Frank '08 worked together and managed to bring in one run. The team managed two more in the fourth, but couldn't stop the Providence juggernaut.

-Michelle Morrison

Bocklet Honored With NEILA Honors

For the second time this season, senior attackman and captain Mike Bocklet was named NEILA New England Offensive Player of the Week.

He finished the week with an impressive outing against the 5th ranked Georgetown Hoyas, totaling three goals against one of the country's top teams and defenses. Bocklet leads the Stags in scoring and total points this season.

For more information, stay tuned to this week's Fairfield Mirror, and check the blog before the weekend for Keith Connors' preview of the huge game against the Tar Heels of North Carolina, as well as post-game quotes and reaction.

Stay tuned!

-Keith Connors

Softball Preview: Fairfield vs. Providence, away

Fairfield faces off today at 2:30 in against Providence.

This will be the team's first matchup since last Thursday's victory against Hartford, due to a postponement of Saturday's doubleheader versus Iona.

Fairfield:
Overall record: 9-14
MAAC: 3-1

Coming off a 3 game winning streak - 6-5 against Hartford, 3-2 and 4-1 against Canisius

Breaking out the big bats: Recent home runs by:
Meghan Borst '10, Kristen D'Alessandro '08, Dani Griswold '10, Erin Frank '08

A burst of skillful pitching by Borst and Cagney Ringnalda '07


Providence:
Coming off two splits to UCONN and St. John's

Overall record: 12-14
BIG EAST record: 3-7

-Michelle Morrison

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield at St. John's

Site: The Ballpark at St. John's, Jamaica, N.Y.
Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
6-16 Overall
4-5 MAAC Conference

PITCHING PROBABLES
D. Ciallella (RHP, 1-1, 4.64 ERA)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Philip Espinosa, C, 5-10, Sr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Dave Jermine, 2B, 5-7, So.
Matt Tiagwad, 3B, 5-10, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Jason Rago, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Bill Rafferty, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Brian Rudolph, OF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

ST. JOHN’S
15-11 Overall
6-3 Big East

PITCHING PROBABLES
S. Barnes (LHP, 2-2, 4.17 ERA)

-Frank Romano

Baseball Loses To St. Peter’s, 1-0

The Fairfield baseball team lost its third straight game to the Peacocks yesterday, dropping the Stags to 6-16 overall and 4-5 in the MAAC.

Fairfield senior Ed Kamintzky threw a beauty, going eight strong and giving up only one run.

The offense struggled again, scratching out only five hits.

Fairfield takes the field again today at 3 p.m. against non-conference foe St. John’s.

For more thoughts on baseball, check the Stags’ Other Sports blog.

-Frank Romano

Mr. 3000

Today, the Mirror Sports Blog hit 3000 visitors. A true accomplishment considering it's short time on the internet. Mirror Sports will continue and grow and can not thank our readers enough for their support and participation! Go Stags!

Baseball Winless In Saturday Doubleheader

The Fairfield baseball team lost to Saint Peter’s in today’s doubleheader, 8-1 and 4-2. The Stags’ third loss in as many days drops Fairfield to 6-15 overall and 4-4 in the MAAC.

Fairfield junior Ryan Calabrese got the loss in game one and freshman Rob Gariano got the loss in game two.

The Stags combined for nine hits on the day, three of which came from junior Peter Allen.

Fairfield committed two errors in the second game, the squad’s fifth straight game with one or more errors.

Fairfield takes the field again on Monday at 1 p.m. for another game against St. Peter’s.

For more thoughts on baseball, check the Stags’ Other Sports blog tomorrow.

-Frank Romano

Men's Lax nearly upsets Hoyas, loses 8-7

A potential enormous upset bid by #19 Fairfield men's lacrosse just fell short in the second half, as the Stags fell victim to #5 Georgetown, 8-7. The Stags totaled five second half goals in their attempt at a monumental victory. The team was led by 13 key second half saves from Mike Kruger, as well as four assists from attackman Chris Manley.

More to come in Mirror Monday, and next week's addition of the Mirror.

Stay tuned!

- Keith Connors

Easter Break updates

Here's a bit of housekeeping in what has gone on the last couple days:
Women's Lax: Fell to Columbia 20 - 10. Ouch...
Men's Lax: After back to back losses, the Stags take on Georgetown tomorrow in a crucial ECAC matchup. Bottom line, win or go home. Well, I guess they're going home regardless.
Baseball: As Frank had covered, baseball fell at Fordham 10-6 and will take on St. Peter's for three straight. Can a saint be beaten on Easter weekend? We will find out...
Softball:The Stags won their third straight yesterday, 6-5 in an extra-innings thriller against Hartford. Freshman Meghan Borst continued her hot streak by hitting the game winning solo homer in the eighth inning.
Men's Tennis: The men continue to alternate victories and losses after defeating UConn 4-3. Maybe Fairfield is starting to challenge for top sports' University in Connecticut? Maybe not.
Women's Tennis: Lost their fourth straight game, falling to Manhattan 5-0. Ignore my previous argument.

That's it for now. Previews, game recaps, and more commentary to follow in the next couple days. But most importantly, LET'S GO RANGERS! Back to back playoff appearances!

Hey, if I can plug my blog, I can plug my team right? Editorial privilege.
- Dan

Baseball Loses To Fordham

The Fairfield baseball team lost to Fordham 10-6 today at Houlihan Park in the Bronx. The loss snapped the Stags’ two-game winning streak.

Freshman hurler Kevin Fico got the loss, his second of the season.

Sophomore Dave Brizzolara and juniors Albie DeSimone and Peter Allen continued their hot hitting, combining for a total of six hits on the day. However, as a team, the Stags stranded 10 runners on base.

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

Fairfield takes the field again this Saturday for a doubleheader with conference foe St. Peter’s.

-Frank Romano

Trifiolis Leads Softball In 6-5 Victory Over Hartford

The softball team cleaned up in an away game against Hartford today, winning 6-5.

Kristie Trifiolis '10 homered in the first inning and smacked a double in the top of the third to bring in Fairfield's first three runs.

Hartford managed to bring one in during the bottom of the third, but Fairfield retaliated in the fourth with a double and two RBI by Kristen D'Alessandro '08.

A quick succession of singles and stolen bases in the fifth allowed Hartford to close the gap and later tie the game up in the sixth.

A home run by Meghan Borst '10 in the top of the eighth and some solid work on the mound by Cagney Ringnalda '07 secored the win for Fairfield.

-Michelle Morrison

Baseball Game Capsule: Fairfield vs. Stony Brook

Site: Fairfield, Conn.
Time: Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

FAIRFIELD
5-12 Overall
4-2 MAAC

PITCHING PROBABLES
D. Ciallella (RHP, 0-1, 9.58)

PROBABLE STARTERS
Mike Weiner, C, 6-0, Jr.
Dave Brizzolara, 1B, 5-11, So.
Dave Jermine, 2B, 5-7, So.
David Dudish, 3B, 6-2, Fr.
Albie DeSimone, SS, 5-11, Jr.
Matt Tiagwad, OF, 5-10, Fr.
Bill Rafferty, OF, 6-1, Fr.
Brian Rudolph, OF, 6-4, Jr.
Peter Allen, DH, 6-2, Jr.

STONY BROOK
7-11 Overall
0-0 American East

PITCHING PROBABLES
J. Goglia (RHP, 0-0, 3.38)

-Frank Romano

Stags drop to 19th

Men's Lax dropped to No. 19 in the nation following their 11-10 loss to Hobart over the weekend. The Stags take on No. 5 Georgetown this weekend.
- Dan

Softball Kicks Off MAAC With 1 Win, 1 Loss

This past Saturday, the Fairfield softball team split a home doubleheader against Niagara.

The first game started off slowly, as neither team managed to round the bases until Niagara scored on a Fairfield error in the fourth.

Niagara kept up the pressure, scoring twice more in the fifth, but Dani Griswold '10 homered in the bottom of the fifth to start Fairfield's comeback.

Kristie Trifiolis '10, Julia Jacoby '08 and Erin Frank '08 made swift work of the sixth inning, pounding out three runs in a row and leaving the game at 4-3.

Niagara came out hard in the second game, scoring four in the first three innings without any sign of life and defense from the Fairfield team.

Excellent pitching by Cagney Ringnalda '07 changed the tune of the fourth and fifth, as Fairfield later tied the game up at four.

The girls could not hold on to this drive however, and let Niagara score three more times to end the game at 7-4.

-Michelle Morrison

Stags Fall To Hobart, 11-10

A 5-0 start had Fairfield believing it was well on its way to an ECAC championship run. Now, with consecutive losses, the Stags face the toughest portion of their schedule in a mode of desperation.

Fairfield lost a highly competitive, intense game to Hobart, 11-10. The Stags' comeback attempt in the final seconds came up just short, as midfielder Greg Downing's shot hit just low of Statesmen goalie Max Silberlicht as time expired. Fairfield's attack tried desperately to push the ball over the line, but it was too late.

Fairfield now faces ECAC foe Georgetown, a nationally ranked opponent, in Washington next Saturday, followed by two challenging games against out-of-conference opponent North Carolina and in-conference rival Loyola (Md.).

For an exclusive game story, check out the blog and Mirror Monday!

-Keith Connors