With an 11-13 record at the midway point of the non-conference schedule, the women’s softball team has endured its fair share of challenges, but have also prepared themselves well for a MAAC Tournament run. With seven seniors on the squad, Fairfield was picked as the co-favorite to win the league this season. In the first three years the seniors played at Fairfield, the Stags have finished in the top four of the MAAC twice, earning a trip to the tournament, but have never reached the championship game.
“I think having seven seniors is great thing,” head coach Julie Brzezinski said. “Before the season even starts, everyone knows what to do and what to expect. This team is already crisp and ready to go.”
In their final year at Fairfield, the group – Meghan Borst, Dani Griswold, Jen Gilbert, Jessica Stand, Kristie Trifiolis, Jenna DiBernardo and Allison Ritacco – has hopes of achieving that goal. The journey to the tournament begins on April 10, when Fairfield travels to Saint Peter’s to open the MAAC season. This year’s tournament will be played May 13-16 in Buffalo.
“The seniors want to make their mark on the program, and a MAAC championship would be the ultimate mark,” Brzezinski said. “Winning the MAAC is their primary goal and focus. With seven seniors, their play and leadership will be vital for us to accomplish our goal. Not only do we expect a lot from them, they expect a lot from themselves as well.”
So far this season the seniors have put Fairfield in strong position to reach the tournament. Griswold, an outfielder and pitcher, has hit .382 to lead the team and Borst has a team-high 12 RBI. Ritacco leads the team in home runs with two and Trifiolis is tied with Griswold for the team lead in doubles with seven. Junior pitcher Sarah Minice is 5-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 18 appearances, including 14 starts.
Borst and Trifiolis have a chance to leave a mark not only with a championship victory, but also in the record books. Borst currently has 81 career RBI, which places her eighth all time. There is a strong possibility that she will finish the season within the top four RBI producers in school history. Trifiolis has 33 career doubles, tying her for fifth place in school history and she also has a chance to reach the top three.
It is not unusual for the Stags to struggle early on in the season against tough competition. This year Fairfield has losses to No. 19 North Carolina (20-8), Stony Brook (13-8), Big East foe-St. John’s (11-14) and Southern Illinois (21-11). Fairfield does have victories over Big East opponents South Florida (15-16) and Pittsburgh (13-13), as well as Indiana State (11-13) and two victories over Central Connecticut State (7-12).
“I know we take our bumps early in the season, but our kids always bounce back,” Brzezinski said. “They know that the MAAC tournament and championship is our ultimate goal and that the early challenge of our schedule prepares them for that goal.”
Fairfield continues its non-conference schedule with matchups at Providence (double header on March 30), Yale (doubleheader March 31), Quinnipiac (April 8) and Hofstra (April 14). The Stags also play Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart later in the season.
Leave a Reply