The Fairfield Prep Jesuits will face off against the Cheshire Rams at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Fairfield Prep will be looking to extend their current 17-game winning streak.
Fairfield Prep is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another highly-ranked state team: Bishop Hendricken, who was ranked first in their home state at the time (Fairfield Prep was ranked second). The Jesuits' pitchers stepped up to hand the Hawks a 10-0 shutout on Saturday. The result was nothing new for the Jesuits, who have now won 13 matchups by seven runs or more so far this season.
Nick Garofalo
| 05/16/26 vs Bishop Hendricken | 4 |
| 05/11/26 vs Hillhouse | 3 |
| 04/16/26 @ West Haven | 3 |
| 05/01/25 vs Law | 3 |
| 05/04/26 @ Hamden | 2 |
Nick Garofalo was a standout: he went 1-for-3 with one home run and four RBI. Those four RBI gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Vinny Lombardo, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with three runs and one double.
Fairfield Prep was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .385. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .310 or higher in four consecutive games.
Meanwhile, after a string of three wins, Cheshire's good fortune finally ran out on Saturday. They took a 5-1 hit to the loss column at the hands of Norwich Free Academy.
Cheshire also got a good showing from Stephen Fitzmaurice, who struck out six batters over three innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off one hit. Fitzmaurice has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two walks in six consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Cheshire saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Cal Battipaglia, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base.
Cheshire's loss dropped their record down to 12-6. As for Fairfield Prep, their victory bumped their record up to 20-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Fairfield Prep has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.6 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Cheshire struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Fairfield Prep beat Cheshire 4-1 when the teams last played last Thursday. Do the Jesuits have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rams turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
