May 7, 2006
Fairfield, Conn. - The Fairfield University softball team earned a double-header split with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) rival Siena College, losing 9-2 in the opener and winning the second game 3-2. The win improves the Stags to 30-25-1 overall 8-8 in the MAAC and earns the squad the fourth seed in the upcoming MAAC Tournament. Siena falls to 18-34 overall and 7-9 in league play.
After Siena used five homeruns to power to the opening game win, the second game winner would earn the final spot in the tournament. Fairfield scored all of its runs in the second inning. Erin Frank led off the inning with a double to right cente. She was moved up to third on a sac bunt from Shannon Logan. Cagney Ringnalda hit a ground ball to second base, and the throw home was late, for the 1-0 lead. After a ground out Breanne Morschauser hit a two-run homer to left field.
The Saints would get one run in the fourth off of Stags pitcher Ringnalda, and another in the sixth, to get to within 3-2. Fairfield would load the bases in their half of the sixth but not score.
Ringnaldi gave up a leadoff single to Andrea Piela, who advanced to second on a ground out. Jesica Billow pinch ran at that point, but was gunned down by Logan as she tried to get back to second after a pitch. After a single, Ringnaldi struck out Jamie Walker looking to end the game.
Ringnaldi went the distance, fanning seven, to improve to 13-5 on the year. Jamie Piela took the loss for the Saints, fanning one in five innings of work.
The Stags struck first in the opening game as well, building a 2-0 lead after three innings. Erin Frank scored the first run, on the front end of a double-steal in the second inning. Jenna DiBernardo led off the third inning with her first homerun, but that was all the Stags would get. Siena took the led in the fourth with a two-run homer from Jenn Granato, which was followed by solo homers by Kelly Boyle and Tara Campbell. Jenn Griner and Campbell both hit homers in the fifth inning to give the Saints an 8-2 lead, and would tack on one run in the seventh.
Campbell also picked up the win on the mound, fanning three in a complete-game effort. Tara Hansen took the loss for the Stags, allowing four runs in 3.1 innings pitched.
The Stags advance to the MAAC Tournament, Friday through Sunday, April 12-14, at DeLuca Field in Stratford, Conn. Game times will be announced on Monday.
