Softball falls short to Curry in 2026 Home Opening Doubleheader

Fitchburg, MA – The Fitchburg State softball team came up just short in a back-and-forth contest on Thursday afternoon, falling to Curry College by a 5–4 final at home. The team dropped the second game of its matchup with Curry College on Thursday, falling by a 9–5 final despite a late push at home.

The Basics

Final Score (Game 1): Fitchburg 4, Curry 5

Final Score (Game 2): Fitchburg 5, Curry 9

Records: Fitchburg (1-11), Curry (5-7)

How it Happened

Game 1:

The Falcons (1-10) wasted no time getting on the board, plating two runs in the opening inning. After loading the bases, Keegan Kelley drew a walk to bring home the game's first run, while another run crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give Fitchburg State an early 2–0 advantage. Fitchburg State continued to generate offense throughout the game, finishing with 11 hits on the afternoon. Kiley Connors led the way with a 2-for-4 performance, while Rylee Freeman also added a pair of hits. Chloe Bafundo, Priscilla Dillon, and Lauren Ahearn each contributed hits as the Falcons consistently put pressure on Curry pitching.

Curry began to chip away in the middle innings, capitalizing on a defensive miscue in the fourth to cut the deficit in half before tying the game in the sixth on an RBI double. The visitors then took their first lead in the seventh with an RBI single from Cailene Dupras. The Falcons answered in the bottom half of the inning, as Ariana Baez reached and advanced on an error that allowed Connors to score and even the game at 3–3 in the final frame.

In the eighth, Curry regained control with two runs, highlighted by an RBI single and a sacrifice fly to go in front 5–3. Fitchburg State mounted one last rally in the bottom half, as Alison Hazel came around to score on a sacrifice bunt by Ahearn, but the Falcons were unable to bring home the tying run as the Falcons got caught in a pickle trying to push the game to another extra frame. In the circle, Madison Solt went the distance for Fitchburg State, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits while striking out four. Curry would hold onto win 5-4. 

Game 2:

After three scoreless innings to open the contest, Curry broke the game open in the fourth, erupting for five runs highlighted by a three-run home run from Lindsay DesRoberts. The visitors continued to build their lead in the fifth with three more runs, stretching the advantage to 8–0.

Fitchburg State (1-11) began to chip away in the bottom half of the inning, as Kiley Connors came around to score on a Curry error to get the Falcons on the board. The Falcons continued their comeback effort in the sixth inning, plating three runs to cut into the deficit. Paige Konopka sparked the rally with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, including an RBI, while Lauren Ahearn reached on a bunt single and advanced on an error to bring in two runs. Emily Bennett followed with an RBI single to trim the margin to 9–4, and the Falcons added another run on a fielders choice to cut the deficit to 4. Curry would once again hang on for a 9-5 victory. 

Fitchburg State finished with 10 hits in the contest, with Priscilla Dillon adding a double and an RBI, and Chloe Bafundo also recording an extra-base hit. In the circle, Brianna Lynch took the loss for the Falcons, allowing eight runs (five earned) over 4.1 innings of work, while Alison Hazel provided relief down the stretch.

By the Numbers

• Fitchburg State combined for 21 hits across the two contests, out-hitting Curry in game one (11–10) and matching them in game two (10–10)
• The Falcons scored 9 total runs, including five runs over the final two innings of game two
• Paige Konopka went a perfect 3-for-3 in game two to lead all hitters in either contest
• Kiley Connors recorded three hits and two runs scored on the day, setting the tone at the top of the lineup
• Fitchburg drew four walks in game one and showed patience early, including a bases-loaded RBI walk by Keegan Kelley
• The Falcons stranded a combined 15 runners on base, including nine in game one

Up Next

The Falcons will travel on Saturday, March 28th to face the Bridgwater Bears in a doubleheader scheduled for 12:30 and 2:30 PM first pitches. 

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