FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball team honored the team's seniors prior to today's series finale against Rider University, and the Class of 2026 responded with a combined performance that sent the Stags to an 8-0 five-inning win over Rider University.

Pitcher Alyssa Weinberg kept the Rider bats in check throughout the game, allowing just a single in the fourth inning to Fallyn Stoeckel. In addition, the left hander struck out six and walked just two to keep one of the MAAC's most productive teams off the scoreboard.

While Weinberg worked some magic from the pitching circle, the Stags offense showed its capability to score runs as well. The Stags saw three different pitchers in the game and all three surrendered multiple runs.

Fairfield took the lead in its first time to the plate, sending three runners across the plate. Sarah Bielski and Anna Paravati set up the inning by drawing walks to put runners on first and second. Sammie Dougherty took advantage of the base traffic by sending a pitch to the left field fence to bring home the game's first run. Ava Armuth delivered a two-run double that split the left-center field gap, bringing the score to 3-0.

Those runs would all that Weinberg needed as she put Rider down in order in the second and nearly did the same with the exception being caused by an error. The Stags tacked on a run in their half of the third, a rally that began with Armuth's second double of the day. After being sacrificed to third, Quinn McGonigle sent a pitch through the left side of the infield for a 4-0 Fairfield edge.

In the fourth inning, Bielski and Paravati reached base once again with a pair of singles, setting up a two-run frame. With runners on first and third, Darby Weller entered the game to pinch run for Paravati. She promptly stole second base but the throw deflected into the outfield allowing Bielski to come home with the fifth run. With Weller on third after the throwing error, Dougherty added another RBI to the box score with a sacrifice fly.

Fairfield ended the game in the bottom of the fifth with two more runs with the first being a result of a Rider error. Bielski ended the game with a base hit to right field that scored the team's eighth run for the 8-0 win.

The Stags will play four games in their final week of the 2026 regular season, hosting Stony Brook University on Tuesday afternoon with first pitch slated for 3 pm. Fairfield finishes up its MAAC schedule with a three-game series at Saint Peter's University, playing a doubleheader on Friday and a single game on Saturday.