The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team defeated visiting Manhattan, 8-0, in a five-inning game on Wednesday, April 25 at FDU Softball Field. With the Jaspers holding a 3-2 lead in the second inning, the second game of the doubleheader was called due to heavy rain.
The Knights had consistent offense in the opening game, putting a runs on the board in every inning after the first.
Meghan Doherty (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) singled to left center, advancing Jaime Colvin (Fawn Grove, PA/Kennard-Dale), who reached on a fielder's choice, to second. Jennifer Boldman (Winter Haven, FL/Winter Haven) reached on a fielding error and then took second as Colvin scored on a throwing error.
In the third inning, a Lindsay Glidden single up the middle started things off for the Knights. Caitlyn Reuter (Richwood, NJ/Clearview Regional) singled through the left side and Hilman sent a hard ball right to the fence to push Glidden across the plate and give the Knights a 2-0 lead.
Colvin led off with a single to left field in the fourth inning and Kristen Coughlan sent a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Colvin.
Reuter, Hilman, Colvin and Doherty all had consecutive singles as Doherty's pushed Reuter across the plate, giving FDU a 4-0 advantage.
Fairleigh Dickinson's offense went on overdrive in the bottom of the sixth as the Knights ended the game through mercy-rule, picking up four runs. Myers doubled to right center to start the fireworks, stealing third. Glidden smacked a two-run home run, which was followed by a home run from Reuter. Hilman singled through the right side and Colvin singled through the left to get more base runners, as Doherty singled to plate Hilman and end the game, 8-0.
Ashley Buchanan (West Windsor, NY/West Windsor) picked up the win, pitching six innings and scattering four hits. She shutout the Jaspers and struck out two. FDU had its eight runs on 16 hits.
Leading the offense was Reuter, who was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a pair of runs, while Hilman was also a perfect 3-for3 with a run and RBI. Colvin went 3-for-4 with two runs and Doherty was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Myers was 2-for-3 with one run scored, while Glidden 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two batted in.
In the nightcap, the Jaspers put up three runs in the first inning, but the Knights started to comeback, putting two on the board in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Stephanie Cahill (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) singled to the pitcher and then stole second. Myers singled and droev in Chaill and Keltos singled to bring in Myers. But the game was rained out in the middle of the third inning.
The Knights are back in action on Saturday, April 28 when they host Northeast Conference foe Central Connecticut State in a doubleheader. First pitch is at 1:00 p.m.
