The Central Connecticut State University softball team fell short to Fairfield University in Wednesday’s home game, ending their five-game winning streak.

With a final score of 10-2, the Blue Devils suffered their first home loss of the season, and they now stand with a 6-1 record in games played on their home turf.

The Stags grabbed an early lead after senior Haley Updegraff tripled to centerfield, allowing freshman Quinn McGonigle to score. Sophomore Charli Warren then hit a single that brought in Updegraff to give the Stags a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

CCSU followed that up with a home run from sophomore Matison Piripavel, putting the Blue Devils on the board in the bottom of the second. This was Piripavel’s second home run in her collegiate career.

The Stags scored five runs in the 3rd inning and seemingly put the game away at that point. With the lead now 7-2, things seemed rather bleak for the Blue Devils after only scoring one run in the same inning when freshman Kendall LaMorte singled to right field to bring in senior Molly Bruyns from second base.

Fairfield continued to pull the lead away, scoring in the top of the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings, securing the win for the Fairfield Stags. The Blue Devils were unable to score another run for the remainder of the game.

Despite a few shortcomings this season, this year’s softball team currently sits at a rather impressive 9-7 record. It may not sound like much, but this team has improved compared to last season’s 8-41 record.

Still, with so many games remaining in such a young season, Central’s softball team has much to look forward to after a promising start. They now direct their attention to Merrimack College, hoping to bounce back after Wednesday’s loss.

The Blue Devils travel to North Andover, Massachusetts, for three away games against Merrimack this weekend and then return home to take on Quinnipiac University on Thursday, March 30.