Fairfield softball dropped the first game of their supposed doubleheader against Marist College at a score of 10-0. The second game of the day was rained out.
In their first game of Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference play, the Stags recorded just one hit and saw the game end after the sixth inning as a result of the mercy rule. They are now 2-14 in the season and 0-1 in conference play.
Senior Kristen Felicia led the game off with the only hit of the game, a ground ball single through the infield. The game ended with 16 straight Stags retiring at the plate. Starting pitcher Rebecca Trott ’14 recorded seven strikeouts before exiting in the sixth inning. She was able to manage through the first inning, but had a rough time on the mound in the second inning as she gave up four runs, including a three-run home run.
“I got a few pitches flat and they took advantage of them,” said Trott. “They were hitting the ball really well, seeing the ball and making those adjustments that we weren’t making and they ended up doing better.”
Aside from pitching, the Stags had trouble seeing the ball from a hitter’s standpoint. No Stags got on base after the first inning and Marist pitcher Janine Lalli ’15 threw a complete game one-hitter. She recorded two strikeouts and did not give up any walks.
“We just didn’t make any adjustments off their pitcher,” said head coach Julie Brzezinski. “I think we have to be a little more aggressive, especially in our hitting counts. We just have to get some type of streak going and string hits together.”
Following the second inning, Trott was able to do a nice job of retiring the Red Foxes, holding them scoreless until the sixth inning. She had five of her strikeouts and did not allow a hit during that time.
To start off the sixth inning, Red Fox Nicole Cheek ’16 hit a single that was followed by a double by Aly Klemmer ’14 that scored Cheek, making the score 5-0. After another single scored Klemmer, Trott was pulled from the game and Lauren Falkanger ’16 entered the game to pitch for the Stags.
“They got a hold of the pitches that were in and up flat and were hitting them,” said Trott about the sudden run scoring by Marist in this inning. “They were moving it around a little more and keeping us off-balance.”
Falkanger gave up a single to the first batter she faced and then walked the second batter to load the bases. Junior Red Fox Taylor Kuzma took advantage of this opportunity and hit a grand slam to put the score at 10-0. Falkanger was then able to salvage a few outs to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Fairfield had to score or they would see this game come to an end due to the mercy rule. With the bottom of the order up to bat, the Stags saw three consecutive batters either ground out or strikeout to bring the game to an end.
“I think the bottom of the order just needs to be a little bit more aggressive offensively,” said Brzezinski. “Hitting good pitches and not second guessing them; I think that’s not what we’re doing right now.”
Fairfield softball is scheduled to play their next home game on Thursday, April 3, against Stony Brook University at 2:30 p.m.
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