RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Fairfield University softball team dropped the final game of its five-game set on the opening weekend of the 2022 season with its 3-2 setback to Lehigh University on Sunday. The Stags played Lehigh and North Carolina State twice added one game against Mount St. Mary's during the tournament.

The Stags managed four hits in the game, picking up one in three different innings. But the team did not need any hits in the second inning when it scored its first run of the game. Megan Forbes and Evie Wright opened the inning with a pair of walks to put runners on base. The two moved up a base each with a double steal which placed two in scoring positions. Forbes came home following a wild pitch to give a 1-0 lead to the Stags.

Lehigh scored the next three runs of the game, plating the tying run in the third inning and sending home two more runs in the fourth inning. The Mountain Hawks registered five hits during those two rallies, finishing the game with eight hits. Fairfield was able to cut into the lead with its second run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Charli Warren started the opportunity with a single and put herself in scoring position with a stolen base. She came around to score when Kaitlin Hoffman drove a double to center field.

The Stags tried to rally in the seventh inning when Madison Robicheau drew a walk to put the tying run on base. However, the Stags were unable to move her across home plate which resulted in the one-run setback.

Allie Bridgman pitched the first three innings before yielding to Bailey Taylor who finished out the game by allowing no runs and only one hit in her 3.2 innings of work. 

Fairfield will return to the diamond next weekend when it participates in the South Florida Tournament along with St. John's University, Saint Joseph's University, and the University of South Florida. The Stags open the tournament with a single game against both St. John's and Saint Joseph's on Friday morning.