FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Five different Fairfield student-athletes had a base hit in the game, but no Stags could cross home plate as the softball team dropped a 2-0 decision against Providence College in the team's home opener.

Pitcher Sarah Minice was dominant early in the game, striking out six in a row between the first and third innings. After a ground out broke the string of strikeouts, Michelle Huber broke through with a base hit. After stealing second, Huber was stranded following Justine Stratton's ground out.

The Stags mounted a slight threat int he bottom of the third with a pair of hits. Kimi Kurata opened the frame with a base  hit, but was thrown out trying to steal. After a ground out, Tiffany Lawson slapped a single through the left side, and follwed up with a stolen base to reach scoring position. Lauren Liseth walked to put two runners on, but the Stags were retired with a grounder to first base.

Providence tallied the first run of the game in the top of the fifth as the Friars were able to put together two hits and a walk in the inning. Megan McCann drew a one-out walk but was later thrown out trying to steal second base. Jen Abrams launched a triple over the head of centerfielder Mikayla Shumate. Abrams came home when Michelle Huber bounced a chopper off the plate which fell in front of Minice and resulted in an infield hit.

The Friars added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning, putting together back-to-back hits with two outs. Huber started the two-out rally with a single up the middle. Justine Stratton followed with a double off the right field fence, which sent home Huber for a 2-0 lead.

Fairfield put together one more rally when it started the seventh inning with a base hit from MIkayla Shumate. Rachel Beaudoin entered the game to pinch run for Shumate, and promptly went to third after Kristen Filicia singled to right field. Tiffany Lawson hit a line drive which was snagged by third baseman Abrams to end the game.

Alicia Grosso went the distance for Providence, scattering six hits and fanning six hitters to record the shutout. Minice took the loss despite striking out 10 Providence hitters.