FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Morgan Sylvestre collected a pair of hits while Chela Kovar tossed five scoreless innings in relief but Iona University was able to post a 3-0 win over the Stags in the finale of a three-game series this afternoon. The two teams split a pair of games as part of a doubleheader on Friday.

The Gaels earned all the run support that starting pitcher Samantha Rieb would need when they plated a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Iona started the rally with a comeback base hit that deflected off pitcher Allie Bridgman. The right-hander was able to stay in the game but would relinquish another walk and a single to load the bases with two outs. Kaylin Flukey followed with a two-run single up the middle to send two base runners home for a 2-0 lead.

Iona started the third inning just as fast as it did in the first frame, using a walk and a double to put a pair of base runners in scoring position with no one out. A pitching change sent Chela Kovar, who picked up her first win on Friday, into the circle. The freshman gave up a run-scoring single but a second runner was thrown out at the plate to keep the score at 3-0. Kovar managed to work out of the jam and keep the Stags close with just the three-run deficit.

Fairfield tried to put together sustained rallies in a few of the remaining innings, stroking at least one hit in the third, fifth, and sixth  innings but could not manage to put any more pressure on Iona's pitcher. Sylvestre's bunt single came in the third inning while Gillian Deans added a single in the fifth inning, her second hit in as many games for the Stags. The team's final hit of the day was a result of Sylvestre's stroke in the sixth inning. The team's first hit was a leadoff double by Anna Paravati in the second inning.

In Kovar's appearance this afternoon, the freshman scattered four hits and walked three without a strikeout in her second MAAC appearance.

Fairfield has four road games on the docket this week, beginning with a non-conference match up with Central Connecticut State University on Wednesday afternoon. After that game, the Stags return to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play with a three-game series against Saint Peter's University, playing two games on Friday followed by a single game on Saturday.AacA