April 2, 2006
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Six different Fairfield University softball players had a hit in the first game of a doubleheader against Columbia University, as the Lions posted a two-game sweep of the Stags in a non-conference match up. The home team won the first game by a 7-3 count, and followed up with a no-hit shutout in the nightcap by a 3-0 score.
Columbia jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opener, making the most of its three first-inning hits. The Lions scored their first run on a bases-loaded single to left field, and followed up with a pair of ground outs that also sent a run home. Fairfield battled back with two runs in the top of the second inning, a rally which started with Erin Frank's base hit. Two batters later, Riannon Thomas launched a two-run homer to close the gap to one run at 3-2.
The home team loaded the bases courtesy of three errors by the Stags, and sent all of those runners home with a triple to right center field to take a four-run lead at 6-2. Tara Hansen started the fourth inning with a single, and promptly stole second base to set up a scoring chance. Shannon Logan took advantage of the opportunity and chased Hansen home with a double down the left field line. The Lions closed the scoring in this game with a run in the sixth inning.
Defensive woes also hurt the Stags in game two, as a first-inning error turned into two unearned runs in a three-run frame. Columbia scored two of those runs with off a home run. Those three runs were all the home team would need in this game, as Maiya Chard-Yaron tossed a no-hitter to earn her third win of the season. Erin Frank was the only Fairfield player to reach base in the game, picking up a pair of walks.
Fairfield plays its fourth straight doubleheader against an Ivy League team on Wednesday, when the Stags host Yale University on April 5 at Alumni Softball Field.
