COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Megan Coyle's bases-loaded triple broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning and pushed the Leopards to a 5-3 victory over Fairfield on Saturday afternoon in the University of Maryland Tournament.
 
In the decisive seventh, Fairfield retired the first two batters before junior Mary Grace O'Neill was able to extend the inning with a bunt single. A single from sophomore Grace Hausamann, a double steal and a walk loaded the bases, setting the stage for Coyle's blast to centerfield.  Lafayette added another run on an error for the 5-1 advantage.
 
Leopard starter Kailee Sawai took the four-run lead into bottom of the seventh. Fairfield's Cara Kochakian doubled and scored on an error to trim Lafayette's margin to 5-2. The Stags added another run on an RBI-groundout from Danica Silvestri before Sawai closed the door by getting a flyout to center field to end the game.
 
All of the game's early scoring came in the fourth inning. The Leopards struck first. Hausamann took the first pitch of the frame back through the middle for a single. Two batters later, junior Maggie Klug plated the first run of the game with a single to right field.
 
In the home half of the fourth, Morgan Sylvestre tied the game (1-1) with one swing of the bat, hitting a one-out home run to left field.
 
Sawai picked up her second win of the season, allowing three earned runs on four hits over seven innings with four strikeouts. The Leopards dealt Chela Kovar the loss when she surrendered four earned runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings.
 
Lafayette closes out the Maryland Tournament on Sunday with a 3 p.m. match with the hosts Terrapins.