NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Fairfield University softball scored first in the game but could not muster any more offense beyond that first inning rally, falling to Yale University by a 9-1 count on Wednesday afternoon.
The Stags opened the game by plating a run in the top of the first inning with
Charli Warren opening the game with an opposite-field double to immediate put pressure on pitcher Emma Taylor.
Delaney Whieldon sent Warren home with a single through the left side to tally the game's first run. Whieldon found herself in scoring position after taking second on a wild pitch. After a strikeout,
Faith Camilleri laced a base hit that sent Whieldon to third base with one out. The Stags loaded the bases when
Ava Armuth drew a two-out walk but none of the three runners could advance before the inning ended.
Yale tied the game in its half of the inning without producing a hit, gaining a lead-off walk to set up the scoring opportunity. A stolen base placed a runner in scoring position and a misplayed grounder resulted in the tying run crossing the plate. The Bulldogs took the lead for good by stringing together four hits in the bottom of the second inning, two of which were RBI single to bring the score to 3-1.
For the third straight inning, Fairfield put runners on base when Camilleri and
Christina Minor registered back-to-back singles with two outs before Taylor worked out of the jam with a fly ball for the third out. Yale padded its lead in the bottom of the third with a single and a double to push its advantage to 4-1.
Fairfield put a runner on in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings but could not advance any of those student-athletes beyond first base.
Quinn McGonigle secured an infield hit in the fourth inning while Camilleri gained first base after she worked out a walk. In the sixth inning, Armuth opened the frame with a base hit before two ground outs and a fly ball kept the Stags from scoring.
Yale continued to score runs, hitting a three-run homer in the fourth inning and adding a single run in both the fifth and sixth inning which completed the game with a 9-1 score.
Camilleri reached base all three times she stepped into the batter's box with two hits and a walk while Armuth took first base twice with a single and walk. Fairfield put nine runners on the base paths off seven base hits and two walks.
Fairfield opens up Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play this weekend with a three-game set at Mount St. Mary's. The Stags and the Mount will meet for a pair of games on Saturday before finishing the set with a single game on Sunday.
