FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University softball team battled back from a three-run deficit before a late rally by Sacred Heart University provided the winning margin in a 6-5 decision over the Stags. Fairfield rallied to tie the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning but the Pioneers plated two runs to secure the winning margin.
After a scoreless first inning, the Pioneers opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Sacred Heart put together the rally with a pair of walks and three base hits which resulted in the three runs, all coming with one out. Cierra Bender provided the key hit in the inning, driving two-run single to left-center field to push the advantage to 3-0.
The Stags battled back in their half of the fourth inning, starting the inning with three successive hits.
Allie Bridgman started the stretch with a base hit to left field, the team's first hit of the game.
Megan Forbes followed by lining a pitch to the right-center field gap that brought Bridgman home and allowed the graduate student to reach third base.
Cara Kochakian completed the three-batter rally by pulling a base hit to left field, chasing home Forbes.
Sacred Heart earned one of those runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Bender collected a double to set up Sam Kowalski's sacrifice fly to left field, bringing the score to 4-2. The lead lasted until the sixth inning when Fairfield posted two runs on the scoreboard. The Stags put their first two runners on base with a walk and a misplayed bunt attempt placed Kochakian and
Delaney Whieldon on first and second. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners up a base, eventually allowing Kochakian to score on a wild pitch.
Charli Warren was responsible for the tying run with her base hit to the left side knotted the score at 4-4. Warren and one more base runner reached scoring position later in the inning but the Stags were unable to break the tie.
The Pioneers regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, using a walk and three hits to account for the runs. Bender finished her perfect day with another two-run single, giving the freshman three hits in three at-bats. Fairfield once again tried to come back from a deficit and nearly managed the feat, when Bridgman launched a lead-off home run to bring the score to 6-5 .But, the next three Fairfield hitters were retired to end the game.
The Stags return to the diamond on Friday when they host Iona University in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader, the first two conference contests for both teams. The twin bill was originally slated for Saturday but a forecast of inclement weather forced the games to Friday.
