The Fairfield University softball team won both games of a doubleheader against Manhattan University on April 21, securing victories by scores of 9-1 and 6-2. The Stags have now won four consecutive games, all within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
The series was highlighted by home runs from Martina Gutierrez, Cara Kochakian, and Alivia Macaluso. Fairfield led throughout both games, although Manhattan tied the second game at 2-2 before Fairfield pulled ahead with four late runs.
Macaluso hit a three-run pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning of game two to extend Fairfield’s lead. Earlier in that game, Kochakian broke the tie with a solo home run over the left field fence. Pitchers Alyssa Weinberg and Peyton Shields combined efforts in the circle; Shields started game two but was relieved by Weinberg after Manhattan scored twice in the fifth inning. Weinberg closed out both games for her second win of the day.
In game one, Weinberg pitched a complete game and struck out eleven batters over seven innings. Gutierrez contributed an early home run to give Fairfield a lead in that matchup. Kochakian also had two doubles and three runs batted in during the opener.
Other contributors included Ava Armuth and Danica Silvestri with RBI singles. Five players—Sarah Bielski, SJ Mull, Sammie Dougherty, Armuth, and Kochakian—each collected two hits in the first contest.
Fairfield will continue its conference schedule this weekend when it hosts Rider University for a doubleheader on Saturday followed by another matchup on Sunday.
