STATESBORO, Ga. -- The Fairfield University softball team scored the first two runs of the game but saw that lead disappear with five unanswered runs by Oakland University, resulting in a 5-2 setback in the finale of the GATA Classic. The Stags completed their second straight five-game series at a southern tournament, opening last weekend at the Hatter Classicc hosted by Stetson University.
Today, Fairfield posted a base hit in each of the first four innings, the first two put pressure on the Oakland defense but did not result in any runs.
Charli Warren led off the game with a single but was left at second base after the final two batters of the inning struck out. Freshman
Caroline Walls stepped up with a one-out single in the second inning and a stolen base but her teammates could not find a way to bring her home. .
In the third inning,
Anna Paravati stroked a two-out single that brought home the game's first run, chasing home Warren who drew a one-out walk before reaching scoring position with a stolen base. The Stags doubled up that advantage in the fourth inning when
Quinn McGonigle brought home pinch runner
Evelyn Wozniak to bring the score to 2-0.
Pitcher
Chela Kovar did not allow a hit through the first three innings, allowing just one base runner off a second-inning walk. Oakland found its rhythm in the fourth inning though, using five hits and a fielder's choice to plate three runs and take the lead for good at 3-2. The home team tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning, stringing together four more hits and adding a fielder's choice to account for the runs.
Fairfield threatened in the sixth inning after Paravati and
Delaney Whieldon drew walks and advanced to second and third following an error. Both runners were left on their respective base after a fly ball to center field ended the frame.
The Stags will be able to regroup after two consecutive road trips this week before returning to action on March 7-9 at the Penn State Invitational. Fairfield will join Canisius University, Lafayette College, and Penn State University to comprise the tournament field.
