On the heels of a disappointing weekend, the Stony Brook baseball team’s pitching staff was roughed up en route to a third consecutive loss.
The Seawolves (22-20, 10-8 CAA) took on the Fairfield Stags (24-20, 13-2 MAAC) in Connecticut on Tuesday and watched their bullpen falter in the middle innings en route to a 13-7 defeat. Three different relievers combined to allow 12 runs — 11 of which were earned — in just five innings for Stony Brook.
In the bottom of the first inning starting pitcher Ty Saunders surrendered a one-out single to Fairfield shortstop Luke Nomura. After a groundout moved Nomura to second, right fielder Matt Bucciero drilled a double down the right-field line to give the Stags the early lead. Saunders settled down and allowed just the one run on three hits and a hit batsman while striking out one and walking none over three innings.
The Seawolves punched right back in the top of the second inning when right fielder Matty Wright came up with the bases loaded and two outs. Wright fought off Fairfield starting pitcher Ben Alekson’s 1-2 offering and dumped it into left field to bring in a pair and give his squad a 2-1 lead.
From there, it was all Stags, as they tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning against relief pitcher Jerek Hobb. With one away, Fairfield left fielder Nick Sturino wrapped a double into the left-field corner and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. After reaching on a walk, designated hitter Tyler Kipp broke for second. Catcher Nick Solorzano’s throw down skipped into center field, allowing Sturino to score the tying run.
In the following frame, Hobb walked a pair, causing head coach Matt Senk to call upon relief pitcher Ty Panariello. On Panariello’s first offering of the afternoon, first baseman Matt Bergevin gave the Stags the lead for good when he blasted a three-run home run to left-center field to go back in front 5-2. Four batters later, Kipp then snuck a run-scoring single through the middle.
Now with runners at the corners, Fairfield catcher J.P. Kuczik lined a home run over the left-field fence to make it a 9-2 laugher. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Bucciero made it an eight-run ballgame with a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the eighth inning, a leadoff single and a steal by second baseman Johnny Pilla set up shortstop Matt Miceli to double him in down the right-field line and cut the score to 10-3. However, in the home half, relief pitcher Quinlan Montgomery served up a mammoth home run to Nomura which landed over the scoreboard in left field. He promptly walked Bergevin before Bucciero delivered a two-run blast which landed in similar territory to make it 13-3.
Down to their final three outs, catcher Scott Gell alongside third basemen Joe Delanzo and Cal Parrillo all drew pinch-hit walks to open the top of the ninth inning. With one out, center fielder Matt DeStefano bounced a fielder’s choice while pinch hitting to bring home Gell. Now with two away, shortstop Matt Jackson pinch hit for left fielder Matt Brown-Eiring and blasted a three-run homer for his first collegiate hit. Designated hitter Erik Paulsen then struck out looking to wrap things up.
Offensively, it was another quiet day for Stony Brook, as no player recorded multiple hits. Wright continued his strong sophomore season with a 1-for-3 day while collecting two runs batted in (RBI). Miceli went 1-for-4 with a double and tallied both an RBI and a run scored. Pilla had one hit in four at bats but also scored a run and stole a base. Solorzano went 1-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch and a run. Jackson’s three RBIs were all the first of his collegiate career and led the team.
Center fielder Cam Santerre went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. Third baseman Evan Goforth went 1-for-2 with a walk. DeStefano collected his first run and RBI of the season.
Senk did not speak to the media after the game.
The Seawolves will now turn their attention to the Battle of Long Island, as they will host the crosstown rival Hofstra Pride this weekend in a three-game series. The Pride are 17-27 and 8-10 in conference play. They will face Seton Hall on Wednesday before heading to Joe Nathan Field. First pitch of the series is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday.
