TAMPA, Fla. -- Bailey Taylor tossed a complete game by scattering six hits and striking out two as the Fairfield University softball team closed out its three-day stay at the USF Tournament with a 2-1 win over Saint Joseph's University. The Stags won their last two games in the tournament including yesterday's win over 25th-ranked South Florida.

Today's game belonged to the pitchers as Taylor and her counterpart Saige Stutz kept both lineups off balance through most of the game. Saint Joseph's broke through for the game's first run in the second inning by putting together three hits and a walk to take the 1-0 lead. A leadoff walk and two singles created an RBI situation for Kalee Smith who took advantage by sending a pitch up the middle.

Fairfield tied the game in the fourth inning by putting the first two hitters on base. Haley Updegraff was awarded first base on catcher's interference and went to third when Megan Forbes lined a single to right field. Forbes stole second base to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. After an infield fly put up the first out of the inning, Evie Wright hit into a fielder's choice that brought home the first run.

The Stags took the lead with a rally in the sixth inning when Allie Bridgman led off the inning with a six-pitch walk. Ella Watson entered the game as a pinch runner and was sacrificed to the next two bases with back-to-back bunts. Lauryn Rhinehart stepped into the batter's box as a pinch hitter and responded with a single to center field to bring home the lead run.

Taylor returned to the pitching circle for the final inning and retired the first two Saint Joseph hitters before Smith prolonged the game with a base hit. The sophomore induced a ground ball to shortstop to record the last out and secure her first victory of the season. For Taylor, the game represented her eighth of the season and allowed her to lower her ERA to a team-best 2.58.

The Stags will return to Connecticut for a few days before going back on the road next weekend for a three-day tournament hosted by Marshall University. Fairfield will play two games against Western Carolina and the host school as well as one game versus Norfolk State.