The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team opened competition at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL on Sunday, March 15 with losses to Rider, 8-7, and URI, 4-2. The Knights fall to 2-7 on the season.
The Knights held a 3-0 advantage against Rider in the first game of the day heading into the fifth inning, when the Broncs picked up six runs.
FDU started the scoring in the second inning when Lindsay Glidden (Peachtree City, GA/Starr's Mill) singled to second base and Kristen Coughlan (Mount Royal, NJ/Kingsway) moved her over with a sacrifice hit. Brittany Sheppard (Mahwah, NJ/Paramus Catholic) smacked an RBI double to left center to put the Knights on the board. In the third inning, Brianne Benedict (Alliance, OH/West Branch) singled to center field, and Lauren Hamilton (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville)'s one-out single to center moved her to third. Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) continued the offensive surge, also sending a hit to center, pushing Benedict across the plate. Glidden plated Hamilton with a single to right field.
After Rider took a 6-3 lead, FDU responded in the bottom of the fifth inning, pushing four across the plate to regain the lead, 7-6. Rider added a run in the sixth to tie and a run in the top of the seventh for the win.
Bradac had a perfect game until the fifth inning, finishing the game with three earned runs and no walks in seven innings.
Glidden led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Sheppard was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
In the second game of the day, the Knights took the lead in the fifth inning as Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) sent one over the fence in left field. Benedict followed with a single to center field and stole second. She crossed home plate on Hamilton's single to right field to give FDU the 2-0 lead.
Rhode Island scored four runs on three hits in the bottom of the seventh inning to surge past the Knights and take the victory. Hamilton went 2-for-3, while Benedict, Shreve and Meghan Doherty (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) were each 1-for-3.
“We had great pitching from both Kirsten and Caitlin,” said Head Coach Dale Martin. “We were in both games and had great opportunities throughout each game to win. We need to take advantage of runners in scoring position and we have to work to avoid giving up big innings. If we just focus in on that a bit more to prevent it, I think we can be successful.”
The Knights continue competition at the Rebel Spring Games when they face off against Wisconsin- Green Bay and Iona on Monday, March 16.
