FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Interstat) — Ben Alekson pitched six strong innings and Fairfield defeated Marist 4-0 on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the first game of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Webster Bank Arena.

Alekson scattered two hits over six innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out one. He retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced after Marist put two runners on base in the first inning. The Stags improved to 23-20 overall, while the Red Foxes fell to 19-27.

Fairfield struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Matt Bucciero reached on a two-base error by Marist second baseman Kyle Pollack and scored on a single to center field by JP Kuczik. The run was unearned.

The Stags extended the lead in the second inning when Nolan Colby homered to right-center field, his solo shot making it 2-0. Luke Spencer followed with a single but was left stranded.

Marist managed only three hits in the game. AJ Brotz singled in the first inning and doubled in the eighth, and Chris Diaz singled in the sixth. The Red Foxes loaded the bases in the first inning on a walk and a single, but Scott Esposito flied out to end the threat. Marist left seven runners on base, including two in scoring position.

The decisive inning came in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and the score 2-0, Zach Stephenson reached on a catcher’s interference error and went to second on a hit batter. TJ Schmalzle was hit by a pitch, and both runners advanced on a double steal. Stephenson scored on a throwing error by the catcher, and Schmalzle came home on a double to left-center by Bucciero, making it 4-0.

Jimmy Mulvaney relieved Alekson in the seventh and struck out three over two hitless innings. Nick Kelly pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out none but setting down the side in order.

Marist used six pitchers: Caleb Kempler started and allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts. Bobby LeFevre threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, Logan Scholl gave up one earned run in 2 1/3 innings, Andrew Speranza struck out four in 1 2/3 hitless innings, and Colin Ruppe faced one batter in the seventh. Fairfield’s defense turned two double plays to stifle Marist threats.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Fairfield with a 72.90 percent probability to win the game.