The Quinnipiac Bobcats are set to welcome the Fairfield Stags for a three-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) baseball series in Hamden, beginning Friday, May 1. The games will be held at the Quinnipiac Baseball Field, with matchups scheduled for Friday at 3:00 PM, Saturday at 2:30 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM.
This upcoming series is important as both teams look to improve their standings in the MAAC. The Bobcats currently hold a record of 20-22 overall and are 11-10 in conference play. Fairfield enters with a record of 21-17 overall and stands third in the conference with a league mark of 15-6.
Quinnipiac comes into the weekend after winning two out of three games against Mount St. Mary’s last week. After dropping the opener, Peyton Vancas delivered a walk-off hit on Saturday to even the series before Chase Camac’s two-run single helped secure Sunday’s finale. J.C. Franconere recorded his first save of the season by closing out that game with a double play.
Friday’s contest marks the 42nd meeting between Quinnipiac and Fairfield since April 2008. Fairfield leads the all-time series, having won 29 out of those previous matchups. Last season, Fairfield took two out of three games from Quinnipiac when they met.
The Stags have relied on strong pitching this year, leading the league with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.76 and allowing only 78 runs in conference play so far this season. Offensively, Matthew Bucciero leads Fairfield with a .315 batting average along with team highs in home runs (15) and runs batted in (38).
For Quinnipiac, key contributors include Jack Balcer (.308 batting average), Alex Irizarry (32 runs), Caden Williamson (51 hits), Christian Smith (14 doubles and five home runs), Andrew Rubayo (3.95 ERA), and Matt Alduino (five saves). The team was picked to finish third in this year’s MAAC Preseason Poll following last season’s semifinal appearance.
Looking ahead, Quinnipiac will host Rider for its final home weekend starting Thursday, May 7.
