KINGSTON, R.I. -- In its past wins this season, the Fairfield University softball team scored early and then carried that lead to victory. Today, the Stags followed that formula with a run in both the first and second innings but needed a three-run outburst in their final at-bat to post a 5-4 road win over the University of Rhode Island.
Amanda Ulzheimer stroked the first of her two hits in the game's first plate appearance, setting the stage for the first run. She advanced to second with a stolen base, leaving a base open for
Mikayla Rubin who filled the vacancy with a walk.
Kaitlin Hoffman also drew a base on balls which loaded the bases for
Sam Merino, who sent a single up the middle of the diamond.
The lead went to 2-0 in the top of the second inning when
Drew Westford led off with a double and secured third base following a sacrifice bunt.
Madison Robicheau put a grounder into play that resulted in an out but chased Westford home with the game's second run.
Rhode Island tied the game with a single run in the fourth and fifth innings, the first coming off the bat of Ari Castillo, who cleared the center field fence with her fourth homer of the season. The Rams rallied for another run in their next at-bat, stringing together three hits to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Stags looked to break the game open in the top of the seventh inning, taking advantage of three Rhode Island errors to score three times and take a 5-2 lead. Fairfield managed just one hit in the frame, an infield hit by Ulzheimer that advanced a runner to third base. But it was a couple of throwing errors that allowed those three runs to cross home plate.
Rhode Island cut into the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Erika Yeager sent a pitch over the center field fence for her first home run of the season, bringing the home team within a run at 5-4. Head Coach
Julie Brzezinski brought in
Lacey Olaff into the pitching circle and the junior struck out the only batter she faced to end the game and earn her second save in her eighth appearance.
The Stags will return to the diamond on Thursday when they make the short trip to Sacred Heart University for a single game that is slated for a 3:30 start. Fairfield returns to conference play when it hosts a doubleheader against Manhattan on Saturday and a twin bill against Quinnipiac on Sunday. Both home dates will begin at noon.
