FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University softball team will move back to non-conference play this week with three games against in-state opponents in Central Connecticut State University and Yale University. The Stags will head to New Britain for a doubleheader with the Blue Devils on Tuesday followed by a single game with Yale University on Wednesday in New Haven.

Fairfield opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play over the weekend, dropping a pair of decisions against Marist University. The Stags were not able to send any runners home in the twin bill, falling by 2-0 and 4-0 scores. Despite the final tally, several Fairfield student-athletes put forth solid efforts against the Red Foxes, beginning with pitcher Alyssa Weinberg.

The senior fanned nine batters in her seven-inning stint, scattering eight hits and allowing both runs in the first game. Ava Armuth reached base three times in the doubleheader, securing one of the team's two hits in the opener and working out a pair of walks in the second game. Quinn McGonigle just missed a home run in the opener as well, sending a ball of the base of the center field fence for a two-base hit.

The Stags' offense is paced by Armuth who owns a team-best .324 batting average based on a team-high 12 hits in 14 games. The sophomore also has six walks to her credit which gives her an impressive .419 on-base percentage. Sophomore Sarah Bielski ranks second among her teammates with a .275 hitting percentage, stroking 11 hits in her 14 appearances to date. Anna Paravati and McGonigle are on top of the statistics with six RBI each. 

Central Connecticut doubled up its game total over the weekend, playing five games in the Towson Invitational after playing five games total prior to the weekend. The Blue Devils have three wins to their credit including a 4-0 win over Coppin State University during the Towson weekend. The team also has a victory over Norfolk State University and Rider University, both coming in February.

Grace Lawton has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2026 campaign, posting a .406 batting average with team highs in home runs (2) and RBI (9) over her 10 appearances. Ava Cino and Stella Gaspar are also hitting over .300 on the season with .357 and .323 batting averages. The same trio has already combined for 11 doubles and 17 RBI in addition to scoring 10 runs. Pitcher Liz Hamilton is responsible for all three Central Connecticut victories, posting 28 strikeouts in 37-plus innings with one shutout. 

Yale brings a 4-10 overall record into the week, recently hosting Boston University and the University of New Haven in a weekend tournament. The Bulldogs swept New Haven but dropped two games to Boston University to bring the team to its current record.

Libby Peoples owns a team-leading .412 batting average, securing 14 hits which includes two doubles, a triple, and a home run. Elena Ohe also has a solid hitting percentage which stands at .333 in 14 games played. She also has a team-best seven RBI along with a double and a triple. Emma Taylor has two of the team's four wins from the pitching circle, striking out 20 in 38.2 innings pitched so far.

Following the three mid-week games, Fairfield will return to MAAC play when it travels to Merrimack College this weekend for a three-game series. The Stags will play a pair of games on Saturday before finishing with a single game on Sunday afternoon.