The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team fell to Colgate, 8-5, and Akron, 5-0, on Tuesday morning at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL.

The Knights fell despite a 3-for-3 performance with two runs scored from Brianne Benedict (Alliance, OH/West Branch). Lauren Hamilton (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville) went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in and Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) was 2-for-2 at the plate. Justina Augustine (Geneva, NY/Geneva) batted 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Colgate put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning, but the Knights responded with three runs in the bottom half to take the lead.

Hamilton singled down the right field line to push Benedict across the plate and Augustine's double plated Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) and Hamilton for a 3-2 Knights' advantage.

Colgate added another pair of runs in the second inning, but FDU came back with a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie up the game as Hamilton shot an RBI single up the middle to score Benedict, who led off with a double to left center.

Shreve scored in the third inning on a wild pitch, giving the Knights a 5-4 lead heading into the fourth, but Colgate added two runs in the fifth and two in the seventh to seal the 8-5 victory.

Colgate scored eight runs on 12 hits, while FDU scored five runs on 11 hits and had two errors.

Shreve pitched five innings, walking one and striking out three, while Bradac held off any earned runs and allowed three hits in two innings of relief.

“In the first game against Colgate, we played pretty well,” said Head Coach Dale Martin.  “Our batting was good, Brianne did a great job leading off and Lauren had some critical hits for us. We just gave up too many runs towards the end of the game again.”

Akron scored two runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth to take the 5-0 win against the Knights.

Benedict was the only Knight to get a hit in the game against Akron as Andrea Arney allowed no runs, gave up one walk and struck out seven in seven innings of work for the Zips.

Akron took advantage of some of our mistakes,” said Martin. “Overall, we just have to continue to stay positive and aggressive. If we stay true to what we are trying to achieve, it will come. We aren't where we want to be on paper, but we believe in what we are doing.”

The Knights will continue action at the Rebel Spring Games on Thursday, March 19 with games against Columbia and Manhattan.