April 26, 2006

Box Score

HACKENSACK, NJ - The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team split a doubleheader with Manhattan College at FDU Softball Field on Wednesday evening, dropping the first game 4-2 before bouncing back to defeat the Jaspers, 6-3, in the nightcap.

Liz Strein (Bellerose, NY) led off the first inning with a walk to get Manhattan (19-19) started, and scored just before the Knights turned a double play to end the inning.

The Jaspers increased their lead in the third inning as Strein led off the top of the inning with a double to left field. Tina Buyea (Harriman, NY) doubled through the left side to plate both Strein and Kiera Fox (New Windsor, NY).

FDU responded in the fourth inning as Hope Hilman (Bremerton, WA) drew a walk and Shauna Hawthorne (Largo, FL) used a double to right center to push her across the plate.

The Knights started a rally in the sixth inning as Caitlyn Reuter (Richwood, NJ) singled and Hilman followed with a double. Hawthorne knocked in a run to make it 4-2, but the Jaspers were able to cut the rally short.

Jill Medea (River Vale, NJ), on the mound for Manhattan, improved to 13-9, scattering five hits in six innings of work. Liz Pennino (Smithtown, NY) was credited with the save, her second of the season.

Hilman finished the game 2-for-2, Hawthorne was 1-for-3 with two runs batted in and Holly Jones (Tioga Center, NY) was 2-for-3.

FDU struck first in the nightcap as Reuter reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on a fielding error to give the Knights a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The Jaspers responded in the top of the second inning when Deirdre Langan (Manasquan, NJ) had a solo home run over the centerfield fence to tie the score at 1-1.

Jones returned the lead to the Knights in the second inning as Hawthorne singled to left field and Ali Keltos (Shelton, CT) singled to left field to start things off. Jones smacked a three-run shot over the left field fence, giving Fairleigh Dickinson the 4-1 advantage.

Manhattan added a run in the third inning as Fox sent an RBI double to right field. The Jaspers cut the Knights' lead to 4-3 in the fifth inning on a Lyndzie Phillips' (Indianapolis, IN) RBI single.

But the Knights added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, making the final 6-3, as Jones began the rally with a walk. Jennifer Whitley (Eastport, NY) singled to send home pinch runner Erin Mills (Wilmington, DE) and Reuter singled to plate Whitley.

Nicole Webb (Manchester Township, NJ) pitched a complete game for the Knights, walking none and striking out five.

Keltos finished the game 3-for-3, while Reuter, Whitley and Hilman each gave 2-for-4 performances.

The Knights are back in action when they host a doubleheader against Northeast Conference opponent Sacred Heart at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.