FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Freshman Sammie Dougherty picked up a sacrifice fly in the first inning that gave the Fairfield University softball team a 1-0 lead. And, the infielder collected another sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning for the team's final run, sending the Stags to a 10-9 come-from-behind win over Central Connecticut State University in walk-off fashion.

A whole lot of other things happened between those two fly balls, namely 17 runs, 15 hits, and a few Fairfield firsts. Catcher Olivia Moeckel made the most of her second career start with the Stags, picking up her first two career hits, scoring her first run, and recording her first RBI. And, her battery mate Delaney Moquin earned her first career win for Fairfield.

The Stags led three times in this game with the first coming on Dougherty's sacrifice fly that score her team's first run without the benefit of a hit. Central Connecticut took its first lead in the third inning off a sacrifice fly and a single up the middle that brought the score to 2-1.

Fairfield answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning following an RBI triple by Danica Silverstri, the team's first hit of the afternoon, and a run-scoring single from Dougherty that pushed the score to 3-2.

The Blue Devils followed up with a five-run fourth inning with the highlight coming off the bat of Ava Cino, a grand slam that cleared the center field fence that put the visitors back on top at 7-3.

Fairfield chipped away at the deficit beginning with a three-run fifth inning that brought it to within a run at 7-6. The first five Stags reached base beginning with Lauren Osland's leadoff walk. Cara Kochakian ripped a double to the left field fence, putting a pair of runners in scoring position.

After Osland came home on a wild pitch, Moeckel stepped into the batter's box and sent the ball to center field for a base hit, chasing home Kochakian. Sarah Bielski was hit by a pitch that put Moeckel in scoring position which Ava Armuth turned into a run with her single to right field.

Central Connecticut picked up some reassurance with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning, crossing the plate courtesy of a sacrifice fly followed by a wild pitch. Fairfield rallied with three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 9-9 as Martina Gutierrez plated a run with a base hit and Kochakian added a two-run single.

Moquin retired the Blue Devils in order in the top of the seventh inning, the first time Central Connecticut did have a base runner since the second inning. Her performance in the pitching circle provided the open opportunity that the Stags needed heading into the bottom of the seventh.

After a ground out opened the frame, Danica Silvestri was hit by a pitch to start the rally. Ava Armuth's grounder was misplayed which allowed Silvestri to venture to third base with still one out. Dougherty stepped up and launched a fly ball to deep center field, allowing Silvestri to trot home with the winning run.

Dougherty finished with two hits and three RBI while Kochakian added two hits and two RBI. Moeckel was the third Stag with a pair of hits, one which was an RBI single.

Moquin earned the win by getting the final five outs of the game. Peyton Shields started the game for Fairfield before being relieved by Grace Conrad, who stayed in the circle into the sixth inning.

Fairfield returns to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play this weekend with a three-game series against Siena University. The series includes a doubleheader on Saturday followed by a single game on Sunday.