FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball team was able to put runners on base throughout today's doubleheader with Mount St. Mary's, picking up 11 hits and placing runners on the paths in 11 of the 14 innings played. The problem was that none of those runners were able to make it around to home plate as the Stags dropped a pair of 1-0 setbacks to the Mount in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener for both teams.
The Mountaineers scored a single run in the first at-bat of the day and scored next in their final at-bat of the doubleheader to record the victories. In the opening game, Mount St. Mary's manufactured a run in the top of the first inning when Abigayle Perry turned an 0-2 count into a base on balls from the leadoff spot. She stole second base and moved up to third on a pitch in the dirt to produce the first scoring threat. Hannah Gartrell lifted a fly ball to left field that allowed Perry to cross home plate for a 1-0 lead.
The Stags nearly tied the game in the bottom of the first after
Haley Updegraff drove a triple to the right-center field fence. Mount St. Mary's pitcher Avery Neuhart retired the next two batters on called third strikes to end the inning.
Fairfield placed runners on base in each of the first six innings with
Morgan Sylvestre earning a walk in the second inning, followed by a third-inning single from
Charli Warren, a fourth-inning leadoff single from
Delaney Whieldon, a fifth-inning leadoff single from Anna Pavarati, and a two-out single from
Megan Forbes in the sixth inning. But each, the runners were stranded without crossing home plate.
Allie Bridgman tossed the complete game for Fairfield, allowing just two hits and striking out three hitters in her seven innings of work. Neuhart recorded the win by going the distance and scattering five hits for the visitors.
In the second game, the true definition of a pitcher's dual unfolded for the first six innings as Fairfield starter
Samantha Lindsay and Mount St. Mary's starter Olivia Murphy did not allow a single run between them during that stretch. Each team secured a hit in their halves of the first and second innings, including a one-out double by Bridgman in the second inning, but none translated into a run.
The Stags had the best chance to score in those first six innings when pinch hitter Paravati stroked a single to get things started. After being sacrificed to second on a bunt, Paravati reached third base on Warren's bunt single. The sophomore proceeded to steal second to put two runners in scoring position but a strikeout ended the rally and kept the game scoreless.
Mount St. Mary's scored in its final at-bat of the doubleheader with a pair of doubles from Lindsay Martin and Perry to push across game's lone run. The Stags were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh to keep the game at 1-0. Warren paced the Stags offense with four hits in the twin bill including going 3 for 3 in the nightcap.
Fairfield returns to the diamond on Monday with another MAAC doubleheader, hosting Rider University at 1 pm. This doubleheader is a make-up date from Saturday's postponement due to inclement weather.
