MAAC Baseball Championship

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (Interstat) — Third-seeded Fairfield (29-21) faces fourth-seeded Niagara (26-20-1) on Friday in the opening round of the MAAC Baseball Championship at Dutchess Stadium.

The Stags enter the double-elimination tournament after a 4-3 victory over the Purple Eagles on Thursday in the regular-season finale. Fairfield’s Harrison Engle earned the win with six shutout innings, and Zach Stephenson homered and drove in a run.

Fairfield brings a balanced lineup and a deep bullpen into the postseason. The Stags have won seven of their last 10 games, including a midweek win over Marist, and have shown resilience in close contests. Their pitching staff has been effective, particularly in high-leverage situations.

Right-hander Joseph Chambers has been a key reliever for the Stags. Over his last three appearances, all against conference opponents, he has thrown 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out six. He worked 3.0 hitless innings against Rider on May 22, 2.0 hitless frames against Sacred Heart on May 15 and a scoreless inning against New Haven on May 12.

Niagara counters with a strong pitching staff of its own. Right-hander Jack Dickinson threw 4.0 innings against Fairfield on Thursday, allowing three hits and one earned run with three strikeouts. Over his last five outings, he has a 2.29 ERA across 11.1 innings, striking out 13. He earned wins in three of those appearances, including a five-strikeout performance against Rider on May 1.

The Purple Eagles have been competitive in the MAAC, splitting a four-game series with Mount St. Mary’s in mid-May and taking two of three at Manhattan. Their offense can be explosive, as shown by a 15-11, 10-inning win over the Jaspers on May 8.

Fairfield’s recent results include a 6-3 win over Marist, a 3-2 win at Sacred Heart and a 4-3 loss at Quinnipiac. The Stags have won three of their last four games overall.

Niagara’s recent results include a 7-6 win over Mount St. Mary’s, a 7-5 win over Mercyhurst and a 14-9 win at Manhattan. The Purple Eagles have won four of their last seven.

The winner advances in the winners’ bracket. The loser moves to an elimination game.

First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT.