FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Friday afternoon with a twin bill against Iona University, coming away with a split as the Gaels took the opener before the Stags rallied for the nightcap.
After dropping a 9-4 decision in game one, Fairfield turned to freshman pitcher Chela Kova and the rookie responded with a complete-game effort that resulted in her first collegiate win. The righthander scattered three hits and struck out five batters to record the win, putting up zeros in five of her seven innings in the circle.
Despite her effort, Kovar found herself behind by a run in the second inning when Jamie Sheeran started things off with a walk. After a bunt placed her on second base, Hailey Guerrero lined a pitch just inside the third-base line for an RBI single to produce the game's first run.
Fairfield tied the contest in the bottom of the inning when
Megan Forbes launched a long fly ball over the left field fence to start the frame, evening things up at 1-1. The Stags tacked on two runs to their total in next inning, a rally that started with
Charli Warren's triple over the right fielder's head.
Morgan Sylvestre fouled out in the grassy area down the first base line, but it was just enough for Warren to scamper home with the second run.
Allie Bridgman set up the next run with a double which
Anna Paravati converted with a single.
Kovar did not allow another hit after the second-inning single until the sixth inning when the Gaels put together a pair of hits. Sheeran was again in on the action as her double brought the visitors to within a run at 3-2. Fairfield put the game out of reach in its half of the sixth inning courtesy of RBI singles from
Danica Silvestri and Warren to complete the scoring at 5-2.
In the opening game, Iona never trailed as the Gaels started the offense with two runs in the second inning off Emma Capuano's two-base hit. The team added five more runs in the third inning, taking advantage of two Fairfield miscues to take command at 7-0.
Fairfield posted its first two runs of the game with Bridgman collecting an RBI single and
Cara Kochakian adding an RBI grounder to make the score 7-2. Warren and Kochakian were credited with an RBI each later in the game to close out the scoring for Fairfield.
The Stags and the Gaels are scheduled to close out their three-game series on Sunday afternoon with a single game that is slated for a noon start. Check backto fairfieldstags.com for up-to-date information on starting time and field conditions for Sunday's contest.
