Before opening MAAC play against the reigning conference champion Marist Red Foxes next weekend, Stags softball (3-5) will head to the University of Maryland to play in the Terrapin Invitational from Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 1. There, they will play four games against Providence, Syracuse, UMBC and host Maryland.
The invitational follows the Stags’ four games in The Spiro Classic, where Fairfield finished with a 1-3 record. They beat Columbia 2-1 on Saturday, but lost to Appalachian State 9-1 on Friday, and fell to host UNC Greensboro twice (6-0 on Friday and 11-0 on Saturday).
While Fairfield’s offense struggled, mustering just three runs over four games, senior third baseman Anna Paravati impressed with two multi-hit games and a go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the fifth to secure the Stags’ 2-1 victory over Columbia.
“I honestly try to stick with the same mindset throughout, not changing my approach with or without success,” Paravati said. “I find my confidence lies more within the work I put in during practice and on my own, and from the support of my teammates.”
Head coach Julie Brzezinski echoed that sentiment, highlighting Paravati’s consistency at the plate. “Anna is a fighter. She’s not going to strike out a lot, she’s gonna put the ball into play, and she battles every time she hits.”
Fresh off being named the 2025 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Paravati has carried that same mindset to the plate so far in 2026. Through eight games, she is hitting at an impressive .381 clip, sports an on-base percentage of .480 and is tied for the team lead with six RBI.
As a team, Fairfield owns a solid .282 batting average this season. However, after erupting for 27 runs in four games at the University of Houston Tournament to open the 2026 campaign, the Stags struggled to consistently generate offense, tallying just 17 total hits at The Spiro Classic. Finding consistency at the plate remains a point of emphasis heading into this weekend.
“We’re going to increase our offensive productivity by doing the little things right,” Brzezinski said. “Being aggressive, not shying away from swinging at first-pitch strikes, and really just trying to have a stronger and more aggressive mindset offensively.”
That type of mentality is vital heading into a tournament where the Stags will play multiple Power Four opponents, including Syracuse and Maryland. Now in her 29th season as Fairfield University’s softball head coach, Brzezinski understands that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
“I compare the Syracuse’s, Providence’s and Maryland’s to what we need to attain to be conference champs,” Brzezinski said. “We use it as a challenge and we don’t back down or shy away from it, and that’s really how we schedule our southern trips, so that we are going to be challenged. We want to see the best to beat the best.”
Fairfield came close to a conference championship last season, finishing 18-7 in MAAC play and earning the No. 2 seed in the 2025 MAAC Softball Championship. However, the Stags fell in the semifinals to the Siena Saints in a narrow 6-5 loss. Despite that heartbreak, the Stags remain optimistic that their challenging non-conference schedule will pay dividends come MAAC play and help them get over the hump this season.
“I think these non-conference games against some Power Four schools will seriously aid our abilities during MAAC play,” Paravati said. “Playing some tougher pitching will really develop our offense, and facing some tougher hitters will firmly establish our defense.”
Expectations are high for the Fairfield Stags as they were selected second in the 2026 MAAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll with 144 points and even received one first place vote.
However, Fairfield will still play non-conference games between MAAC series, so every game, at-bat, and pitch matters as the Stags look to find their rhythm and bounce back after losing four of their last five contests. The Terrapin Invitational begins Friday, Feb. 27, when the Stags open play against Providence at 10 a.m.
