Fairfield baseball sweeps Washington

WASHINGTON — They had to win in two very different ways, but the Fairfield baseball team took two from Washington on Monday night, a two-gamer that took the Trojans to 4-0 against the Demons this season.

The Trojans nipped the Demons 4-3 in Game 1. Fairfield at one point had a 10-point lead in Game 2, and wound up winning 10-6.

Game 1 was a pitching dual between Fairfield’s Tate Allen and Washington’s Zeke Slagel, both of which kept runs at a premium early on.

The two teams traded blow over the first four innings. Heading into the fifth, it was all knotted up at 2-2.

Cason Miller led the top of the fifth with a single and eventually came around to score on a bases-loaded walk by Tate Allen. Nate Smithburg scored later in the inning to make it 4-2.

The Demons strung together a two-out rally in the sixth. With two down and nobody on, Kole Williams singled, and Ethan Zieglowsky doubled to bring him home.

Unfortunately for Washington, that’s all they would get. Fairfield relief pitcher Connor Lyons shut the door in the seventh, forcing a pop out before striking out the last two batters.

Lyons came in to relieve Allen in the sixth and never gave up a hit en route to the save.

Dylan Hunter was 1-for-1 with an RBI to lead the Trojan offense. Smithburg, Evan Haines and Landon Nodurft all had RBIs as well.

Williams had two hits for the Demons, a double and a single. He also scored two runs. Avery Six knocked in two runs on the day.

Game 2 was all Trojans through 6.5 innings. Fairfield led 11-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

“It was really nice to see the bats come alive a little bit,” said Fairfield head coach Josh Allison. “Even in that first game, we had some hard hit balls that they made great plays on defensively.”

Washington did load the bases in the seventh and put up five runs to make things interesting. Hunter came in to pitch in relief with one out in the sixth to help Fairfield escape the jam.

Smithburg had a huge night on the mound for the Trojans. He struck out 13 batters over 5.2 innings, giving up just one unearned run in the process. He also went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the offense.

Allen got it done at the plate as well, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Haines knocked in two.

For the Demons it was another frustrating SEC loss. Washington has now lost four league games by three runs or less.

“We know what it takes to keep ourselves in the game,” said Washington head coach Tyler Rausch. “It's energy in the dugout and on the field, and it's hitting the baseball. Just getting on base and getting to the next guy. That's the key.”

Fairfield’s win moved them to 13-13 overall and 10-7 in the Southeast Conference. Washington fell to 5-16 overall and 3-13 in the league.