First we would like to congratulate the 2013 Seniors on their recent graduation. Secondly as a group we would like to share a quick recap on the 2013 Stags baseball season.
They say it’s not how you start, but how you finish. While MAAC play got off to a rocky start this year, the Stags began clicking during the final month, taking the final three series of the year from Iona, defending MAAC Champion Manhattan, and Canisius which is currently battling for a MAAC title. Overall, Fairfield won eight of its last 10 games to secure its 14th 20-win season, and finish fifth in the MAAC standings with an 11-13 record.
Junior Ryan Plourde earned MAAC All-First Team honors after hitting .354 with 36 RBI, 37 runs scored, 31 walks, and 15 stolen bases. Senior Jack Giannini was named to the All-MAAC Second Team after hitting .317 with 27 RBI, 25 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. Nine Stags were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team as well. Senior Anthony Hajjar finished his career in the top-10 in almost every offensive and defensive category, including setting the program record for games started (191) and tying the record for fielding percentage (.990).
Freshman Mike Wallace was named the Fairfield University Male Freshman Athlete of the Year after a pretty solid rookie season in which he went 6-4 with a 3.39 ERA. Freshman Aaron Howell was inserted into the weekend rotation and did well, finishing the year at 4-2 with a 3.71 ERA. Sophomore EJ Ashworth was also a solid weekend starter, with a 3.33 ERA and three victories.
There were a lot of bright spots throughout the season. Fairfield had several solid non-league victories, taking two out of four games at Stetson University, posting a 3-2 win against Yale at Alumni Diamond, and stopping Central Connecticut State, 12-4. The Stags also took a home-and-home from Quinnipiac, our future MAAC opponent.
There will be 11 Stags playing in various summer leagues in New England and New York, if you’re in the area, be sure to support them. In the NECBL, outfielders Ryan Plourde and Alex Witkus will be playing for the New Bedford Bay Sox while pitchers EJ Ashworth, Tim Duggan, and Andrew Gallagher will be playing for the Sanford Mainers. Pitcher Tucker Panciera will be playing for the Mystic Schooners. In the Hamptons League, pitchers Ian Tresser and Mike Wallace will be playing for the Shelter Island Bucks while pitcher Aaron Howell will be playing for the Westhampton Aviators. In the Perfect Game League, Jeremy Soule and Keith Skinner will be playing for the Amsterdam Mohawks.
There were 21 underclassmen on the roster this season –10 freshmen and 11 sophomores – most of whom received significant playing time, gaining experience and confidence throughout the season. The entire team got better as the year went on and the Stags are on track to get back to the tournament and win the MAAC Championship.