Bronx, N.Y. – (March 17, 2023) – Fairfield's Jake Noviello struck out six over seven innings, while Mike Handal had a home run and two RBI, as the Stags upended the Fordham Rams, 9-4, in the opening game of a three-game series at Houlihan Park.
With the loss, Fordham fell to 5-13 on the year, while Fairfield moved to 8-7.
Fordham opened the scoring in the first, as
Ryan Thiesse doubled to left, was sacrificed to third, and scored on a sacrifice fly by
Daniel Bucciero.
The Stags answered the run in the top of the second, when Mike Handal hit a solo home run to right, his first of the season. The Rams quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the frame, as
Zach Selinger connected on a one-out double to right and moved to third on a single by McAndrews. Fairfield pitcher Jake Noviello then went for a pickoff throw that went errant, allowing Selinger to score. One out later,
Jack Vallario hit a two-run home run to left, the first of his career, for a 4-1 lead.
The score stayed that way until the fourth, when the Stags scored four times to take a 5-4 lead. The inning was highlighted by three RBI-singles from Nick Sturino, Mike Becchetti, and Charlie Pagliarini.
Fairfield then added a run in the fifth and three in the sixth for a 9-4 advantage.
Fordham was unable to get much going, collecting just three hits over the final seven innings.
For Fordham,
Declan Lavelle (0-1) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on six hits over four innings. Reliever
Austin Sachen went the final five innings, giving up four runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. At the plate, Vallario was 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, while
Cian Sahler was 1-for-3 with a pair of stolen bases.
The Fordham baseball team will next by in action on Saturday, March 18
th, as they will play Fairfield in a doubleheader at Houlihan Park, beginning at noon. This is a change from the original schedule and there will be no game on Sunday.
