The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team defeated Columbia, 5-4, and Manhattan, 3-2, on Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL.

After giving up three runs in the first inning against the Lions, the Knights were behind, 4-1, after Brianne Benedict (Alliance, OH/West Branch) crossed home plate. But Lindsay Glidden (Peachtree City, GA/Starr's Mill) started the Knights' comeback with a solo home run in the fourth inning.

The Knights took charge in the sixth inning as Brittany Sheppard (Mahwah, NJ/Paramus Catholic), who smacked a double to get things going, scored on Benedict's sacrifice fly. Justina Augustine (Geneva, NY/Geneva) had an RBI single to score Ali Keltos (Shelton, CT/Lauralton Hall) and then scored on an error.

Augustine, Glidden and Sheppard each went 2-for-3.  Trina Fields (Norridge, IL/Ridgewood) struck out four in 4.0 innings, allowing three earned runs, while Shreve pitched three hit-less innings.

"It was good to see us climb back into a game," said Head Coach Dale Martin.  "We did a nice job of supporting the pitching with both our fielding and our bats."

In the second game, FDU posted a 3-2 victory over Manhattan. Shreve earned the win, striking out 11 and scattering five hits.

The Knights started things off in the first inning, plating Augustine with a single to left field. Kim Carbaugh (Johnstown, PA/Richland) drew an RBI walk to give Fairleigh Dickinson a 2-0 lead. The Jaspers added a run in the bottom of the inning, but FDU sealed the win with a run in the third inning. Glidden doubled to left field to score Lauren Hamilton (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville). Glidden went 3-for-4 with two RBI.  

"Kirsten pitched a great game," said Martin.  In the bottom of the seventh, Manhattan had the bases loaded, and the batter got ahead in the count with three balls. But Shreve came back for a strikeout to end the game.

"Lindsay had a couple of really key hits," said Martin. "Today we really rallied around each other and made sure that we stayed in the game. Our intensity was really high and things like that are contagious. It's good to see the team doing all of the little things right."