The Fairfield University softball team earned a dramatic 10-9 walk-off victory against Central Connecticut State University on April 15, with freshman Sammie Dougherty delivering the game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The closely contested matchup saw numerous lead changes and several first-time achievements for Fairfield players. Catcher Olivia Moeckel recorded her first two career hits, scored her first run, and tallied her first RBI during only her second start for the Stags. Pitcher Delaney Moquin secured her first career win after retiring the Blue Devils in order in the top of the seventh inning.
Fairfield took an early lead when Dougherty hit a sacrifice fly in the opening frame. The Blue Devils responded by taking their own lead in the third before Fairfield regained it with an RBI triple from Danica Silvestri and a single from Dougherty. Central Connecticut surged ahead again with a five-run fourth inning highlighted by Ava Cino’s grand slam.
Despite trailing by four runs at one point, Fairfield rallied back beginning with a three-run fifth inning fueled by contributions from Lauren Osland, Cara Kochakian, Moeckel, Sarah Bielski, and Ava Armuth. The Stags tied the game at nine apiece in the sixth thanks to Martina Gutierrez’s base hit and Kochakian’s two-run single.
Moquin’s pitching held Central Connecticut scoreless in their final at-bat, setting up Fairfield’s opportunity to clinch victory. After Silvestri was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on an error, Dougherty’s deep fly allowed Silvestri to score easily for the win.
Dougherty finished with two hits and three RBIs while Kochakian added two hits and two RBIs. Moeckel contributed two hits as well. Peyton Shields started on the mound for Fairfield before being relieved by Grace Conrad.
Looking ahead, Fairfield will return to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play this weekend with a three-game series against Siena University.
