AMHERST, Mass. -- The Fairfield University softball drew six walks and one hit batter but could not scratch out a hit against University of Massachusetts pitcher Sara Plourde as the Stags dropped a 4-0 decision on Thursday evening. Five different Fairfield student-athletes reached base with Rebecca Trott and Kimi Kurata each reaching base twice. The game was called after the top of the sixth inning due to darkness.

The Stags reached base in every inning with their best threat coming in the third frame. Trott led off the inning with a walk and went to second after Kristen Filicia followed with a base on balls. Sammy Ruffolo pushed both runner ahead one base with a sacrifice bunt. However, Plourde induced back-to-back pop ups to end the threat and keep the game scoreless.

UMass broke the 0-0 tie in the fourth inning when Katie Bettencourt and Kyllie Magill each hit a solo home run to spot Plourde a two-run lead. The team tacked on two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to improve the UMass lead to 4-0.

Fairfield returns to action on Sunday afternoon when it hosts Rider University for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader. The twinbill is slated for 1 pm. The team will also sponsor breast cancer awareness activities during the day.