JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Fairfield University softball team found the right combination of offense and pitching in today's sweep of Saint Peter's University, defeating the Peacocks by an 8-0 score in the opener and a 9-0 count in the second game.
Both
Alyssa Weinberg and
Peyton Shields tossed five-inning complete games with Weinberg scattering three hits and Shields allowing just one hit. Weinberg struck out seven batters against only one walk to earn her 15
th win of the season. Shields posted her ninth victory after surrendering the Peacocks' only hit in the top of the fifth, a leadoff double by pinch hitter Bella Nutting. The junior finished the game with three strikeouts and one walk.
Fairfield's offense combined for 17 runs off 21 hits during the two games, beginning with a 12-hit attack in the opener. The Stags opened the scoring in the second inning when back-to-back doubles by
Cara Kochakian and
Sarah Bielski brought home a pair of runs that spotted the team a 2-0 lead.
The visitors tacked on three more runs in the third inning, beginning with
Ava Armuth's solo home run.
Darby Weller stole a base which allowed
Sammie Dougherty to score after the throw to second went wide of the target. Weller moved up to third on the error and eventually scored the team's fifth run following Danica Silvertri's base hit.
The Stags completed the scoring in the fifth inning when the same trio produced runs once again. Silvestri's RBI single started the scoring while Kochakian lofted a sacrifice fly to right field that brought the score to 7-0. Bielski tallied the final run of game one with her RBI double, bringing the score to 8-0.
The second game also included a fast start for the Stags as they plated all nine of their runs in the first three innings.
Anna Paravati made her contribution to the cause by stroking a two-out single and stealing second to set up Sammy Dougherty's RBI single for a 1-0 lead in the team's first at-bat.
Fairfield broke the game open with four runs in the second inning, the first coming home when Bielski's grounder was misplayed into a run.
Ava Armuth did the most damage when she drove the ball to left center field for a three-run double that moved the score to 5-0.
In the third inning, the Stags used four hits and another Saint Peter's error to bring home another four runs and take the advantage to 9-0. Silvestri's infield single was responsible for the first run of the frame, bringing home
Alivia Macaluso who reached base off a single of her own. An error allowed the second run to score which also set up Paravati's bases-loaded walk. Dougherty finished her day with a swinging bunt that chased Bielski home with the ninth run.
Fairfield and Saint Peter's will close out the three-game set on Saturday afternoon with a single game. The Stags will continue their season after the regular-season finale against the Peacocks, playing in the 2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship that begins next week.
