The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team opened its 2008 season at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL on Saturday. The Knights fell to Columbia, 6-3, and Cleveland State, 3-1, in the afternoon game.

Columbia and FDU were tied, 1-1, though the first three and a half innings, but a big 5-run inning from the Lions gave them a lead in the bottom of the fourth.

The Knights pushed across two more runs in the fifth inning, but were unable to get any closer.

Trina Fields (Norridge, IL/Ridgewood) pitched four innings, scattering four hits. Ashley Buchanan (West Windsor, NY/West Windsor) threw two innings of relief, striking out two.

Kim Carbaugh (Johnstown, PA/Richland) led FDU in the first game with a 2-for-3 effort, including an RBI double. Kristen Coughlan (Mount Royal, NJ/Kingsway) was 1-for-2, plating a pair of runs on a double in the fifth inning.

The Knights held a 1-0 lead against Cleveland State until the sixth inning, when CSU staged a three-run offensive spurt to take the lead. Only one of the runs was earned. Carbaugh went 1-for-2 in the game.

“Overall, for the first day of games, I think we are off to a good start,” said Head Coach Dale Martin. “We have some improvements to make, but we have a lot to look forward to. We hit well, we just have to string the hits together and get them at the right times.”

The Knights continue competition at the Rebel Spring Games, playing against Dayton at 9:00 a.m. and Wisconsin- Green Bay at 1:00 p.m.