FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Interstat) — Ben Alekson pitched six shutout innings as Fairfield defeated Marist 4-0 in the first game of a Metro Atlantic doubleheader Friday at Webster Bank Arena.

Alekson allowed two hits, struck out one and walked none to improve the Stags to 23-20. Jimmy Mulvaney followed with two scoreless innings, striking out three.

Nolan Colby homered in the second inning, and JP Kuczik drove in a run in the first. Matt Bucciero added an RBI double in the seventh after an unearned run scored on an error.

Marist’s pitchers combined for eight strikeouts but could not overcome the Red Foxes’ three-hit offense. Andrew Speranza struck out four in 1 2/3 innings, and Logan Scholl took the loss.

Fairfield scored twice in the seventh, aided by a stolen base and an error. Marist fell to 19-27. The teams play again Sunday.