Fairfield has burst onto the scene as one of New England’s top Division 1 programs in recent years, but the roster entering 2024 has a different look than the ones that produced MAAC regular-season championships and at least 30 wins in each of the last three seasons.
“We’ve had a lot of the same group through (our recent successful seasons), but we’re probably going in with six new starting defensive players,” coach Bill Currier (Essex Junction, Vt.) said of his latest roster. “We lost some pretty big names that put up some big numbers and a lot of wins the last few years.”
The Stags graduated fifth-year ace Jake Noviello (Franklin, Mass.) and had All-American third baseman and MAAC Triple Crown winner Charlie Pagliarini (Trumbull, Conn.) drafted by the Seattle Mariners. Three other key cogs from an offense that averaged a New England-best 9.4 runs per game transferred south for their final seasons.
Despite the major losses, plenty of firepower still returns on both sides. Senior first baseman Matt Bergevin and sophomore right fielder Matt Bucciero (Ridgefield, Conn.) both eclipsed hitting .320 with 40 RBI last season, while senior catcher Ethan Hibbard (Roxbury, Conn.) logged 10 doubles and nine home runs in only 109 at-bats while taking over regular duty due to injuries. Bergevin also left the yard nine times.
