CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Fairfield University softball team saved its best performance of the Carolina Classic for last as it tested host University of North Carolina before falling 6-4. Freshman Alisha Marshall posted a pair of hits while classmate Courtney Hankins added two hits and an RBI on the day.

Fairfield jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of a pair of errors by the Tar Heels. Angelina McGuire scored the first run following a misplay in the outfield off Gianna Kinhofer's drive to center. Hankins brought home the second run with a single past the pitcher that doubled Fairfield's lead.

North Carolina cut the lead in half with an unearned run in the bottom of the inning after Kristen Brown reached on an infield error. She stole second and came home after Kendra Lynch doubled to center field. The Tar Heels tacked on two more unearned runs in the second inning to push in front 3-2. The score went to 4-2 when North Carolina combined two hits with a walk and a hit batsman that forced home the run.

The Stags tied the score with a pair of runs in the fourth inning, a rally started with a single by Marshall. She took second when Nicole Capra's fielder's choice did not result in an out, placing runners on first and second. Both student-athletes came home following Rachel Sieber's double down the line which made it a 4-4 game.

North Carolina regained the lead in the fifth off a Lynch solo home run and added an insurance run courtesy of Taylor Wike's solo shot. 

The Stags return home following the three-day Classic but will go right back on the road when they head to Florida for the Hatter Classic on March 5-6, a pair of games in Clearwater from March 8-9, before ending their Sunshine State tour at the Under Armour Classic in Tampa on March 11-13.