FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball dropped its final non-conference game of the season with a 6-5 decision setback against Sacred Heart University. The Stags nearly rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring twice before the final out was recorded.
The home team took a lead in the bottom of the first inning by earning free passes to Fairfield's first three hitters.
Charli Warren walked followed by
Morgan Sylvestre getting hit by a pitch. After both runners moved up on a wild pitch,
Allie Bridgman walked to load the bases.
Delaney Whieldon brought home the run with a grounder between shortstop and third base to put the Stags in front.
The Pioneers tied the game in its half of the third, a rally that began with a one-out single from Jenna Mowad. Vick LoPinto hit a long double to center field to put two runners in scoring position, setting up Cierra Bender's sacrifice fly.
The Stags regained the lead in their next at-bat courtesy of back-to-back singles by Warren and Sylvestre to start the frame. After an infield pop up and a strike out appeared to put the scoring chance in danger,
Megan Forbes laced a single that brought the second run home. Fairfield added to its lead in the fifth inning with three consecutive one-out singles from Sylvestre, Bridgman, and Whieldon that pushed the advantage to 3-1.
Sacred Heart took its first lead of the afternoon in the sixth inning by scoring five runs, the three coming after a pair of infield errors. The Pioneers managed to add three hits to those two miscues, setting up the big inning.
The Stags made a solid attempt at making a come back in bottom of the seventh, using a single, a walk, and a hit batter to load the bases. With two outs,
Danica Silvestri's grounder to the left side was misplayed into a pair of runs for Fairfield, bringing the score to 6-5. The game ended on a strike out, allowing Sacred Heart to hold on for the win.
Sylvestre posted a pair of singles while Forbes recorded two singles as well as a pair of RBI to pace the Fairfield offense.
Chela Kovar pitched the first five innings before yielding to the bullpen but returned to finish the game in the seventh inning. She scattered seven hits and struck out two in her no decision.
The Stags will now prepare for a three-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) series against Marist College this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday afternoon. The series concludes on Saturday with a single game between the two programs.
