Fairfield erupted for nine runs over the middle three innings on their way to an 11-0 shutout victory over Siena Baseball in the MAAC opener.
Two-time defending MAAC Regular Season Champion Fairfield (10-9, 1-0) pounded out 14 hits punctuated by four home runs. Mike Handal didn't homer, but drove in a game-high five runs and was one of five Stags to produce a multi-hit performance.
Meanwhile, Fairfield ace Jake Noviello went the distance on just an even 100 pitches, tossing a two-hit shutout with only one walk while striking out 10.
The game was just 1-0 heading into the home half of the fourth, but the Stags tacked on a pair in the inning before breaking things open with a four-run fifth to take a 7-0 advantage. Fairfield added three more highlighted by a pair of home runs in the sixth.
Arlo Marynczak struck out six for Siena (2-19, 0-1) to move into ninth place on the program's all-time career strikeouts list with 180.
Matt Livingston and
Donovan Montgomery both singled to account for the Saints' two hits.
Due to Saturday's inclement weather forecast, the teams will complete their three-game conference-opening weekend series Sunday with doubleheader action beginning at 11:30 a.m.
