Baseball's Win Streak Snapped by Fairfield, 4-1

The Central Connecticut baseball team had its three-game win streak stopped by Fairfield, 4-1, on Tuesday at CCSU Baseball Field. A three-run sixth inning for the Stags was the difference on the day. Senior Mitch Guilmette had two hits and scored the lone run for the Blue Devils.

CCSU slips to 6-9 overall with the loss, while Fairfield improves to 7-13 on the year.

The game began as a pitching duel as neither team was able to score in the first five innings. Fairfield starter Eli Oliphant faced the minimum through the first three innings, holding the Blue Devils until there was one out in the third.

Central had to make a pitching change in the first inning. Senior Andrew Hinckley struck out the first two batters he faced, although Drew Arciuolo reached on a wild pitch. With two outs in the inning and runners on first and second, Hinckley was relieved by senior Kyle Anderson who came in and got a ground out to end the inning.

Anderson would go on to toss 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three.

The Stags would break the stalemate in the sixth after a pair of singles put runners on first and second with two outs for Mitch Williams. The third baseman would hit a homerun down the line in right to clear the bases and make it 3-0.

Fairfield would tack on a run with three straight singles in the top of the ninth. Arciuolo would single home Tom Ryan to make it 4-0.

In the CCSU ninth, Guilmette would lead off with a double. Freshman Peyton Stephens followed with a single to the left side that hit off the glove of the diving shortstop. The ball would roll away allowing Guilmette to score and Stephens to scoot to second making it 4-1. Freshman Sam Loda would follow with a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. David Sacco would retire the next three batters, including two strikeouts to end the game.

Central finished with seven hits as a team. Seniors Dean Lockery and Dylan Maher and sophomores Chris Kanios and Buddy Dewaine each had singles to join Guilmette and Stephens as the Blue Devils with hits.

The CCSU pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and just one walk on the day. Sophomore Arik Sypher suffered the loss for CCSU. He did strike out four, while walking none in his 3.0 innings of work.

Oliphant got the win for Fairfield, he allowed no runs on three hits with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

CCSU is back in action on Wednesday when it hosts Brown at 3:00 p.m. at CCSU Baseball Field.