FAIRFIELD, CT – The Marist softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Fairfield on Saturday. The Red Foxes fell in game one by a score of 3-2 in 10 innings, and then 5-3 in game two.
However, Marist locked up the #3 seed in next week’s MAAC Softball Championship. The Red Foxes will open the championship on Wednesday at 11 a.m. against #6 Iona. The championship will be hosted by Canisius.
Game One
Haley Ahr’s double in the top of the first brought home Peyton Pusey with the game’s first run, but Fairfield tied the score in the bottom half of the inning.
Pusey came home again in the top of the third on a fielder’s choice by Maddie Pleasants.
Kasey Sekula drove home Haley Updegraff with a single to tie the score at two in the fifth.
Sekula once again drove in Updegraff with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th.
Sam Freeland reached safely in all four plate appearances, with two hits and two walks.
She also stole two bases, running her career total to 50, which is now tied for third place all-time in program history.
Calista Phippen started and went the first 4.2 innings. Pleasants pitched the final 4.2.
Game Two
Pusey led off game two with a single, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on an infield single by Pleasants.
Fairfield took the lead with a pair of runs in both the second and third.
Hannah Brock’s two-run homer in the top of the fifth brought Marist to within one, but the Stags added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning.
Reese Wilson made her first collegiate start in the circle and struck out three in five-plus innings. Pleasants pitched a scoreless sixth, and went 3-for-4 at the plate.
For Fairfield, Updegraff went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a double, a sacrifice fly, a stolen base, and an RBI.
Marist finished the regular season 25-28 overall and 12-8 in the MAAC.