GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Fairfield University softball team dropped the first two games of the 2026 Spiro Classic, falling to Appalachian State University by a 9-1 score and to host UNC-Greensboro by a 6-0 count.
In the opening game, the Stags scored the game's first run but could not send any more across home plate over the final four innings of the shortened game. Fairfield picked up its run in the top of the first inning, the second time this season that the Stags garnered a run in their first at-bat of a game.
Sarah Bielski started things off by drawing a walk before taking second when
Anna Paravati was hit by a pitch. With two out in the inning,
Delaney Whieldon secured the team's first hit with an infield single that loaded the bases.
Quinn McGonigle was next to step in the batter's box and delivered the run when she was hit by a pitch.
Appalachian State, which remained unbeaten in six games with this result, started its first-inning rally with a pair of singles that placed runners on the corners. The team picked up the tying run on a double steal which would set up the second run off a ground out later in the inning.
The Mountaineers doubled up their run total in the second inning with an RBI single and an RBI double by consecutive batters, to take command at 4-1. The team added a run in the fourth inning before ending the game in the fifth with four runs, all of which came with two outs.
The second game saw Paravati pace the Fairfield offense by registering two of the team's three hits. The senior secured a hit in each of her first two at-bats, stroking a two-out base hit and another single with two out in the third inning.
Martina Gutierrez also picked up a hit in the third inning, giving her team the best chance to score in the game. She led off the inning with the two-base hit and went to third on Paravati's single. The rally ended with a ground out to keep the Stags off the scoreboard.
UNC-Greensboro registered 12 hits in the nightcap as each of the top three batters posted a pair of hits, combining for six hits in nine at-bats. Laney Deane hit a home run in the game for the home team, a three-run shot in the fourth inning.
Fairfield will continue at the Spiro Classic on Saturday with a pair of games, taking on Columbia University at 12:30 pm before returning to the diamond for another meeting with UNC-Greensboro at 5:30 pm.
