FAIRFIELD, Conn. – When pitcher Katie Kudlacik pulls on her jersey every week, it would seem to be an ambitious goal to try strikeout the same number of hitters over the seven-day period as is the number on the back of her uniform. The junior nearly accomplished that feat over the last few days as her 13 strikeouts today brought her week's total to 23 which was just one shy of the number 24 she wears when on the diamond.

              Kudlacik, who opened the week with 10 strikeouts in five innings against Iona College last Wednesday, surpassed that total this afternoon as she tossed a three-hit shutout in just her second start of the season as Fairfield edged Iona by a 5-0 score in the nightcap of today's doubleheader, earning a split with the Gaels. Iona started the day with a 5-3 win in the opener, scoring twice in the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie.

              "Katie is getting better each day," Head Coach Julie Brzezinski said. "We just want to her to keep the mindset that she has now so that she can continue to get stronger and get ready for what we hope will be a strong showing in the MAAC tournament in May."

              Kudlacik made the most of her two starts of the season, especially today. Her teammates spotted her a 2-0 lead after just two innings, plating a pair of runs off Kaitlin Hoffman's double down the right field line and Sam Merino's bases-loaded walk.

              Those runs would all that the junior would need on this day as she only found herself in trouble in the first inning of today's game. A leadoff walk by Jennifer Chilcott and a single from Ciarra DiGuilio put runners on first and second. Kudlacik ended the threat with her second strikeout of the inning, an out which set off a run of 13 straight Iona batters retired until an error and a single in the sixth inning put any pressure on the pitcher. Of those 13 consecutively retired batters, 10 were by strikeout.

              Meanwhile, Fairfield put runners on base frequently from the second inning forward, including a three-run rally in the sixth inning. Madison Robicheau started the scoring when she singled home Merino, who worked out a one-out walk and stole second base to set up the team's third run of the game. Mikayla Rubin followed with an RBI to the opposite field before she came home off a triple from Megan Forbes.

              Iona made things interesting in the seventh inning by placing a pair of runners on first and second but Kudlacik fanned the next two hitters and induced a grounder back to the pitching circle to end the game.

              Fairfield and Iona started the day with the long ball as both teams cleared the fence in the first inning of the first game. Chilcott opened the game with a solo home run to left center field to give the visiting team a 1-0 lead. The advantage was erased in the bottom half of the inning when Lacey Olaff launched a two-run shot to about the same spot to put the Stags in front, 2-1.

              Iona regained the lead with two runs in the third inning courtesy of an RBI single from DiGuilio and a double to right center by Jamie Sheeran that chased DiGuilio home from first base. The rally chased starter Lauryn Rhinehart from the pitching circle which brought Sam Lindsay into the game. The sophomore responded with a strong effort by going nearly four innings before a ground ball that seemed destined for an inning ending third out bounced off the third base bag for a two-run single that broke a 3-3 tie.

              The Stags will return to Alumni Softball Field midweek when they host Siena College for a pair of doubleheaders on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday's doubleheader is set for a 2 pm first pitch while Wednesday's action begins at noon.