2023 S c HEDULE

RED - HOME GAMES (FIONDELLA FIELD)

* HOSTED AT DUNKIN’ PARK

Series History

Saturday marks the 15th meeting between Hartofrd and Fairfield in program history. The Stags hold a slight 8-6 edge in the all-time series over the Hawks.

Last Meeting

Last time the two teams met prior to Friday’s series opener was a season ago on March 29, where Fairfield took down Hartford, 8-2. Against fellow MAAC oppoenents, the Hawks own a 23-27 overall record.

Tale Of The Tape

TODAY’S MATCHUP

The Hartford baseball team wraps up its three-game weekend series against in-state foe Fairfield on Saturday. First pitch of the series concluding doubleheader is set for 11 a.m.

Scouting The Opponent

Fairfield enters Saturday’s matchup with a 19-12 overall record, most recently defeating Quinnipiac, 13-3, on Tuesday. After being selected to finish second in the Metro Atlantic Athletics Conference (MAAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Stags sit third in the midseason standings with a 7-2 record in conference play. Charlie Pagliarni and Mike Becchetti have been the main power threats in the Stags lineup, blasting a MAAC leading 12 and 11 homeruns apiece. Becchetti paces the Stags offense with a .398 batting average, 51 hits, and 40 runs scored. On the basepaths, Fairfield has combined to steal 39-of-48 bases on the season with Mike Handal and Pagliarini leading the squad with eight and six, respectively. Highlighting the Stags’ pitching staff is Colin McVeigh who has posted a 4.26 ERA and 4-0 record with 43 strikeouts over 44.1 innings on the mound.

Hartford Quick Hits

Hartford is looking to get back in the win column after dropping its midweek matchup against Yale, 8-4, on Wednesday at Dunkin’ Park before falling in the series opener to Fairfield on Friday. Ryan Knight and Harrison Engstrom each launched their team-leading second homeruns of the season over the two-game span while Joseph Woronick recorded his first long ball of the season on Friday. Noah Rivera has been swinging a hot bat of late, riding a seven-game hitting streak after going 1-for5 at the dish in game one against the Stags on Friday. Over the seven-game stretch, Rivera is batting .296 with three doubles and two RBI. Robert Chaney has been the Hawks’ ace in the rotation, posting a 6.18 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 27.2 innings on the mound. Michael Featherstone has proven to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Hawks. Featherstone has registered a 3.72 ERA over 9.2 innings of work with 10 strikeouts.

COVER STUDENT-ATHLETE

Martin Chavarria has been posting careerhigh numbers to this point of the season. The infielder out of Pacifica, Calif., is slashing .271/.361/.343 on the season with 19 hits, five doubles, seven RBI and four stolen bases.

Next On Tap

Hartford returns to the diamond on Tuesday, April 18, hosting Marist at Fiondella Field. First pitch between the Hawks and Red Foxes is set for 2 p.m.

(2-22 OVERALL)

Hometown/Last School

HEAD cOAcH

STEVE MALINOWSKI - Second Season - UConn ‘07

ASSISTANT cOAcHES

JOHN SLUSARZ - Second Season - UConn ’11

TJ WARD - Second Season - Hartford ‘18

NICK CAMPANA - Second Season - Hartford ‘18