FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball team overcame two early deficits to sweep Sacred Heart University in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader this afternoon. The Stags scored seven unanswered runs in the opener to post an 8-2 win and later eclipsed a 1-0 deficit to win by a 3-1 count in game two.

Cara Kochakian was a key contributor in the team's first win, stroking three hits and driving in three runs. She started the scoring with an RBI single in the second inning to spot the Stags with a 1-0 lead. Sacred Heart grabbed the lead in the bottom of the inning courtesy of Nicole Henke's two-run homer to bring the score to 2-1.

Fairfield tied the score in the top of the fourth inning when Martina Gutierrez sent a fly ball to center field that allowed Quinn McGonigle to score the team's second run. Kochakian pushed Fairfield in front for the second time with another RBI single, setting off a two-run rally. Sarah Biekski was responsible for the second run of the inning with an RBI single that chased Kochakian home.

The Stags broke the game open with a four-run seventh inning as Emma Marchese registered an RBI single, Gutierrez added a two-run double, and Kochakian closed out the day with her third RBI single of the game.

Pitcher Alyssa Weinberg reached double figures in the strikeout column for the third time in her last five starts, setting down 13 Pioneer hitters to help earn her 10^th win of the season. She scattered six hits and yielded just two runs over her seven-inning stint.

In the second game, the Pioneers broke through in the fourth inning to take a one-run lead. Henke brought home the run when she lofted a sacrifice fly that brought home Natalie Aiello.

The Stags scored all their runs in their next at-bat, plating three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Fairfield loaded the bases with one out by drawing three walks to set up the rally. Quinn McGonigle tied the game when she stroked an RBI single that moved each base runner up a base to keep the bases loaded. Gutierrez followed with a base hit to center field that tallied two more runs and brought the score 3-1.

Pitcher Peyton Shields tossed seven innings to earn her sixth victory of the season, surrendering four hits and fanning four Sacred Heart hitters. She retired the final 10 hitters she faced in the game, putting down the Pioneers in order during the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.

The Fairfield University softball team finishes up its three-game series with Sacred Heart on Sunday afternoon, a single game that starts at 12 pm.