POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University softball dropped its opening game in the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship but rallied to win game two, extending its stay in the tournament. The Stags will play fourth-seeded Siena College on Friday, May 9 with first-pitch slated for 12:30 pm.

Fairfield started the day against sixth-seeded Rider University but could not muster any offense against starting pitcher Anna-Maria Groskritz. The graduate student did not allow a hit over her seven innings of work, walking just two but fanning 11 to earn her 13^th win of the season.

Alyssa Weinberg was on the short end of the decision, pitching all seven innings for the Stags. She surrendered just four hits and two earned runs, all of which came in the fifth inning. Shelby Dyer brought home the first run with a single up the middle which Kristyn Gardner followed with a two-run double to account for the Broncs' three runs.

Fairfield rebounded with its best offensive game in nearly a month, eliminating Iona University with a 9-7 come-from-behind win. The nine runs were the most since the team tallied a 15-0 win over Niagara University on April 11.

The Stags took the lead in the first inning on Faith Camilleri's grand slam that produced a 4-0 lead. Morgan Sylvestre, Anna Paravati, and Delaney Whieldon scored on the home run with all three reaching base on singles.

The Gaels came back with six runs in the top of the second inning, piecing together six hits and taking advantage of two Fairfield miscues to take the lead. Brianna Fischer collected a two-run single in the inning while Hailey Guerrero launched a two-run home run to highlight the big inning.

After Iona tacked on a run courtesy of a Fischer home run in the top half of the inning, Fairfield cut into the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sylvestre stroked a pitch through the right side of the infield that chased home Darby Weller and Christina Minor to bring the score to 7-6.

The Stags regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning by stringing together three hits which resulted in three runs. Quinn McGonigle opened the inning with a base hit and took second off a sacrifice bunt. Charli Warren stroked an infield single to place runners on the corners. The bases became loaded after Sylvestre was hit by a pitch.

Anna Paravati lofted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing McGonigle to score and the other two runners to move up a base. Whieldon brought home the second run with a bunt single to put Fairfield in front, 8-7.  Sylvestre closed out the scoring when she touched the plate after Ava Armuth's grounder was misplayed.

Weinberg, who entered the game in the fourth inning out of the bullpen, allowed two runners to reach base in the top of the seventh inning but was able to induce a pop up which Sylvestre caught in foul territory, ending the game.

The winner of the Fairfield-Siena game will continue on in the tournament and will play the loser of winners' bracket game between top-seeded Marist University and sixth-seeded Rider University at 3:30 pm. For schedule and weather updates during the 2025 MAAC championship, please visit the MAAC Championship Central.