FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball extended its conference winning streak to five games with a 6-2 win in the opening game of a doubleheader with Mount St. Mary's University, but saw that string end with a 5-2 loss in the second game. The Stags took two of three games in the three-game set, giving the team a 5-3 mark in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play.
Pitcher
Peyton Shields put together solid efforts in both games, tossing a four-hit shutout in game one before tossing three innings of scoreless relief in game two. On the afternoon, the right hander allowed no runs over 10 innings pitched while scattering five hits and fanning two hitters.
The Stags scored a pair of runs in both second and fourth innings in the opener, using five hits and taking advantage of a few defensive miscues. In the second inning,
Quinn McGonigle started things off by drawing a one-out walk and put herself in scoring position by stealing second.
Martina Gutierrez sliced a single through the left side of the infield to put runners on the corners.
Cara Kochakian placed a successful bunt down between the pitcher and catcher, allowing McGonigle to score the game's first run. Gutierrez and Kochakian both moved up a base when the throw home went over the catcher's head to give Fairfield two more runners in scoring position.
Ava Armuth brought home the second run with a fielder's choice, spotting a two-run lead to Shields.
In the fourth inning, the first batter was retired before Gutierrez posted her second single and continued to second after Kochakian was hit by a pitch. Armuth dropped a single into right field to load the bases, setting up pinch hitter
Sarah Bielski's RBI single.
Anna Paravati closed out the scoring when she drew a walk which forced home a run and put the score at 4-0.
In the second game, The Mount scored in four consecutive innings to earn a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning. The team found its collective swing which resulted in the visitors registering 10 hits through the first four innings. The Mount plated a pair of runs in the first and single runs in the second, third, and fourth to gain its five-run advantage.
The Stags scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, a rally that started with Paravati's one-out single.
Delaney Whieldon laced a double down the right field line to chase Paravati around the base paths to cut the lead to 5-1.
Fairfield used a couple of pinch hitters to record its second run, beginning with
Lauren Osland's triple to the left-center gap with one out.
Sarah Bielski came out of the dugout to gather an infield hit to the left side to make the score 5-2. The Stags only managed one more base runner over the final two innings, a two-out walk by
Alivia Macaluso in the sixth inning.
The Stags will close out their four-game home stand on Wednesday, March 25 when they host the University of New Haven in a non-conference game. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 pm.
