CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- For the second time in three days, the Fairfield University saw a potential victory taken by an opponent's late-inning rally as the Stags drooped a 2-1 decision to DePaul University at the Palmer Park Classic. The Blue Demons erased Fairfield's 1-0 advantage with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Stags enjoyed another quick start to a game when they grabbed an early lead with a first-inning run. Charli Warren opened the game by working out a four-pitch walk which sent Haley Updegraff to the plate. The outfielder pushed the ball to the right side of the infield and beat out the play, allowing Warren to go from first to third. After Updegraff swiped second base, Kaitlin Hoffman brought home the game's first run with a ground out to shortstop.

The first-inning run kept Fairfield in the lead through five innings as pitcher Allie Bridgman kept DePaul off balance for most of the game. The junior yielded just two hits while striking out five batters through the first five innings. The Blue Demons finally managed base runners in the sixth inning as Bridgman was touched up for two hits and a pair of walks. DePaul loaded the bases courtesy of a single and two walks which brought Grace Frazier to the plate. The outfielder promptly lined a double to left center field to bring home a pair of base runners.

The Stags tried to rally in the seventh inning with Delaney Whieldon representing the tying run after collecting a single but three Stags were retired on strikes to put an end to their chances. Six different Fairfield hitters picked up a hit in the game, namely Megan Forbes, Quinn McGonigle, Martina Gutierrez, Updegraff, Hoffman, and Whieldon. 

Fairfield returns to the state of Virginia next weekend as a participant in the Flames Classic which is hosted by Liberty University. The Stags will play Ball State University, University of Maryland, Sacred Heart University, and the host school beginning March 10th through the 12th.