James Marino drove in the game-winning run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving the Quinnipiac Bobcats a 5-4 victory over the Fairfield Stags in their series finale on May 3. The win brought Quinnipiac’s record to 22-23 overall and 13-11 in conference play.
The result is significant as it marks Quinnipiac’s first series win against Fairfield since the 2015 season. Both teams competed closely throughout the game, exchanging leads multiple times before Marino’s walk-off RBI sealed the outcome.
Fairfield took an early lead when Matt Bucciero singled to score TJ Schmalzle. In the fourth inning, Marino responded with a three-run home run, putting Quinnipiac ahead. The Stags tied it up at three runs each following a fielding error in the sixth inning. Alex Irizarry then scored for Quinnipiac on Cole Constable’s sacrifice fly to regain the lead at 4-3. Bucciero tied it again for Fairfield with a solo home run in the seventh.
In total, six Bobcats recorded hits during Sunday’s contest, with two players notching multiple hits. Marino went 2-for-4 at bat with three RBIs and one run scored and now has six home runs this season, tying him for most on his team. He was also hit by a pitch for an eighth time this year while delivering his team’s walk-off win.
Irizarry finished with two hits and two runs scored and currently leads his team with a .307 batting average. Jack Balcer contributed an RBI double while Constable added another RBI via sacrifice fly.
Jacob Belecky started on the mound for Quinnipiac, pitching five innings and allowing only one run on two hits while striking out five batters. Mason Ulsh pitched an inning of relief allowing two runs; Mike Poncini followed by pitching two innings giving up one run; Matt Alduino earned his fourth win of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth inning.
Looking ahead, Quinnipiac will host Rider Broncs next weekend beginning Thursday.
