BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Nicole Capra scored a pair of runs while Sammy Ruffolo recorded three hits as the Fairfield University softball team opened up the 2015 season with a pair of setbacks at the Campbell University Stampede.

                In the first game, Campbell took advantage of an error to score two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Stags played solid defense at the start of the inning, throwing out a runner at the plate to record the second out of the inning on a fielder's choice. But a mishandled grounder on the next play put two runners on base, and both would come around to score on an infield hit and a single to center field.

                Fairfield came back with a run in the top of the sixth inning on a pair of doubles. Nicole Capra led off the inning with a two-base hit to left center and came home Sammy Ruffolo's double to left field. The Stags could not get anything going in the top of the seventh inning, going down in order to end the game. Pitcher Lauren Falkanger started the game for the Stags before yielding to Nicole Gardon. The sophomore recorded the five outs but surrendered two unearned runs before giving way for Destinee Pallotto who made her collegiate debut.

                The nightcap saw the Stags hook up with Monmouth University for a single game. The Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead by scoring a pair of runs in the second off one hit and adding a run in the fourth frame with a pair of hits. Fairfield made a game of it with a single run in the fifth and another run in the sixth. Capra started the inning with a walk, took second on a wild pitch, and came home on Lauren Filicia's ground out. In the next inning, Kate Robinson stroked an RBI single to close the gap to 3-2.

                In the seventh inning, Ruffolo led off the inning with a single and reached third base but could not score the tying run.

                Fairfield finishes up its appearance in the Campbell Stampede with a game against Morehead State on Sunday morning.