March 24, 2013
Final Stats
Siena scored five times in the ninth to break open a close game in a 9-3 series-clinching win Sunday at Fairfield. The Saints lost the first game of the series Saturday before rallying to win the next two.
"Our upperclassmen hitters really took the game over late," Siena coach Tony Rossi said. "We got some great pitching too, especially from the bullpen."
The Saints fell behind in all three games, and trailed 2-0 in the finale entering the fifth.
John Rooney drove home the first three runs with a bases-loaded double, and Siena never trailed again. Brian Fay singled home Rooney later in the inning to put the Saints up 4-2.
Fairfield started the bottom of the fifth with three straight singles, but freshman Bryan Goossens used a double-play and a caught stealing to wiggle out of the jam. Three of the first four batters singled in the seventh, but the Stags managed just one run as Matt Qunitana came on to strikeout the final two men in the inning.
Quintana picked up the save with 2.2 scoreless innings of near perfect relief. He struck out three and allowed just one hit.
Ed Lewicki got the win with five strong innings, allowing two runs and five hits.
The Saints led just 4-3 heading to the ninth when the bats came alive.
Siena scored all five of its runs in the ninth with two outs. Vincent Citro singled home the first, and after Andres Ortiz walked, senior Mike Fish delivered the big blow - a three-run home run to left. Classmate Larry Balkwill followed with a long home run to left, and when the dust settled, Siena had built a commanding 9-3 lead.
Fairfield swept Siena in Loudonville last season.
The Saints are scheduled to open their home season Thursday against Marist. The Saints and Red Foxes will play a single game Thursday at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at noon.
