DOVER, Del. -- The Fairfield University softball team continues to find ways to win on the road, earning a split at Delaware State University on Wednesday afternoon. The Stags opened the twin bill with a 9-2 win before seeing the host school score a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge Fairfield 2-1.

The first game started as so many have this season for Head Coach Julie Brzezinski's squad, scoring early and scoring often. After Delaware State opened the game with a run in the bottom of the first inning, Fairfield would bring runners home in the second, third, and fourth innings which allowed the team to open up a commanding 5-1 lead.

Hannah Futo tied the game with a single that chased home Maria Telle in the second inning, while a double from both Mikayla Rubin and Kaitlin Hoffman plated two third-inning runs that pushed Fairfield in front for the first time at 3-1. Courtney Hankins was responsible for both runs in the fourth inning when she drove a two-run single in the fourth inning, allowing Tahlia Brown and Alisha Marshall to cross home plate.

Delaware State cut into the lead with a single run in the fourth inning of starter Katie Kudlacik, but that would be the final run that the freshman would allow in the game. Hoffman would get the run back in the top of the sixth inning when she placed a grounder to shortstop that kept her on base with a fielder's choice but also produced a run to make the score 6-2.. Kaleigh MacDonald line a triple to center field that scored both Telle and Hoffman which improved the lead to 8-2.

The Stags closed out the scoring in the seventh inning after Hankins' fly ball to center field was mishandled, giving Sam Merino a chance to account for the team's ninth run of the game. Kudlacik earned her sixth win of the season by pitching five innings during which she yielded two runs off four hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Lacey Olaff worked the final two innings and retired all six batters she faced.

In the second game, the two teams locked in a pitcher's duel that started with Fairfield scoring its only run in the top of the first inning. Merino started the rally with a one-out single and took second when Hankins put down a bunt back to the pitcher. Rubin made the most of the scoring chance when she laced a single to put her teammates in front 1-0.

Delaware State would tie and win the game by producing a pair of runs without an RBI hit. The first run was brought home with a ground out while the winning run crossed the plate off a bases-loaded walk. Karisa Hughen took the loss after tossing six-plus innings and surrendering seven hits with four strikeouts. 

The Stags will close out their four-game road trip on Thursday with a single contest at Lafayette College. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.