WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- The Fairfield University softball team picked up its first two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) wins of the campaign with a 1-0 10-inning victory in the first game and a 6-2 decision in the second contest. Charli Warren picked up a hit in both ends of the doubleheader including a pair of hits that drove home three runs in the second outing.

In the opener, Katie Kudlacik was masterful in earning her third win of the season. The pitcher tossed all 10 innings for the Stags and scattered six hits while striking out 11 hitters. She secured at least one strikeout in seven of the 10 innings and finished off the game by sending the final two hitters down on strikes. Monmouth starter Kylie Gletow allowed just one hit in five innings before yielding to Billie Kerwood who tossed the final five innings. 

Fairfield managed just one hit over the first eight innings but added a hit in each of the last two innings. The last base hit decided the game when Lauryn Rhinehart 
brought home the game's only run with a two-out single to right field. Megan Forbes was the student-athlete that crossed home plate, reaching base with a lead-off walk. Monmouth had several opportunities to score a run in the game, registering at least one hit in seven of the 10 innings that were played. Still, Kudlacik was able to work out of trouble each time.

The visitors found more offensive opportunities in the second game and made good on most of those chances. Haley Updegraff opened the game with a double and came around to score when Charli Warren's grounder was misplayed. After Rhinehart retired the Hawks in order in the first inning, the Stags put together a three-run rally in the top of the second. Updegraff and Warren were involved in the offensive success once again with Updegraff registering an RBI on a bases-loaded walk and Warren following with a two-run single up the middle.

Monmouth put itself back into the game in the third inning, stringing together three hits to send two base runners across home plate. After the Hawks opened the inning with two singles, Stavi Augur brought both home with a two-run single off a grounder that skipped through the left side of the infield. 

The Stags quickly regained their four-run lead with a pair of runs in the fourth inning, plating the runs with only one ball leaving the infield. Madison Robicheau sent a single to left field while Updegraff worked out a walk to put two runners on base. After a wild pitch advanced the runners. Warren brought home the first run with a ground out while Rubin's bunt was responsible for the final run.

Rhinehart took over from that point by retiring six straight batters over the fourth and fifth innings before allowing only a walk in the sixth inning and a hit in the seventh inning to secure the win from the pitcher's circle. She registered four strikeouts against four hits and one walk in her complete-game victory.

Fairfield will finish its four-game MAAC weekend on Saturday when it hosts Saint Peter's University for a doubleheader on Saturday at Alumni Softball Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for noon.