FAIRFIELD, CT – The Manhattan University softball team (5-20, 2-5 MAAC) fell to the Stags of Fairfield University (11-16, 5-0), 3-1 and 6-1, respectively, in Friday afternoon's doubleheader.
GAME 1
- Fairfield's offense jumped out to an early three-run lead, stringing together four hits and capitalizing on a defensive error.
- Karissa Spring worked in and out of trouble in the third with the help of the hot corner as Jamie Falotico stepped on third and fired across the dirt for a double play, keeping the deficit the same.
- The Jaspers bats came alive in the fifth, with Spring breaking up the no-hit bid, ripping a single through the left side. Soon after, Tajiana Pickett walked, but the offense could not seize the opportunity.
- After a quick inning from Spring, Manhattan cracked the box score open with Michayla Rodriguez cracking an RBI single to bring Brianna Estevez home from second.
- In the final frame, the Jaspers threatened again, as Victoria Diaz sent a flare into the left field gap, bringing the tying run to the plate with just one retired.
- Fairfield would shut the door as the Jaspers's late-game surge came up short.
GAME 2
- The home squad again got out in front first, scoring two in the first inning after drawing a bases-loaded walk followed by a sacrifice fly.
- The Green and White answered in the following frame as Rodriguez legged out a triple to lead off the inning, firing up head coach Bridget Hurlman and the entire dugout.
- Spring got the job done, smacking a fly ball into center field, allowing Rodriguez to tag and score.
- Fairfield's bats scored eight unanswered runs in the next three innings. Highlighted by a bases-clearing double in the fourth by the Stags leadoff hitter, extending the lead to nine and threatening to end the game early in a run-rule.
- The Jaspers offense did not go down without a fight, as Falotico drew a leadoff walk, followed by back-to-back singles from Diaz and Kalyn Markel to extend the game.
- During the Markel single, Fairfield's defense set up a perfect relay from left field to throw out Falotico at home, ultimately ending any threat.
STATS AND NOTES
- Michayla Rodriguez had two hits and a run scored on the day.
- Brianna Estevez tallied two hits and crossed the plate once in her five at-bats in the doubleheader.
- Karissa Spring tallied three strikeouts, allowing just two earned runs in the six-inning effort and a hit and an RBI in her four at-bats.
- As a team, the Jaspers notched eight hits between the two games while striking out just once in game two.
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers look to flip the script as they finish their three-game series against Fairfield University on Saturday, March 29. The first game is set for 1 p.m. at Alumni Field and will be viewable on FairfieldStags.com.