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DARIEN, Conn. Dariens softball team nearly sent a shock wave through the Section 1 softball tournament in Thursdays opening game against defending New England champion Fairfield. But it fell just short of pulling off the major upset.
Fairfield scored two runs in the sixth and went on to defeat Darien, 2-0, at Kudej Complex in Shelton. Darien plays District 5 champion Wallingford in its next game Saturday in Shelton. The top two teams in pool play in the five-team sectional will meet for the championship Wednesday.
No one would be surprised if the title game were a repeat of Thursday nights classic. Darien, the District 1 champion, had the tying runs on base in the sixth but couldn't pull ahead.
Darien pitcher Sophia Barbour allowed four hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Center fielder Zazi Fee stopped a Fairfield threat in the third when she caught a fly ball and threw a strike to home plate, where catcher Emily Gianunzio tagged out the sliding runner for an inning-ending double play.
In the sixth, Fairfields Brittany Romero led off with a double on a ball that looked catchable. She took third on an error and scored on Mary Rose Finnigans suicide squeeze. Finnigan raced to second, stole third and scored on a throwing error on the steal.
Darien threatened in the bottom of the inning when Kristen Picard laced a one-out single and Cassidy Schiff followed with a double. Fairfield pitcher Maddie Russell got the next two outs, including a line drive off the bat of Gianunzio that Finnigan gloved at third.
We had the tying runs in scoring position and the go-ahead run at the plate, Darien manager Perry Pierce said. We proved that we can stand in there and go toe-to-toe with those guys. Id be happy to play these guys again.
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