The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team fell to visiting Columbia, 4-2, in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader. The second game of the doubleheader was halted in the fourth inning due to heavy rain, with the Knights behind, 7-4. Fairleigh Dickinson is now 4-16 on the season, while Columbia improves to 8-14.
The Knights scored early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning, and holding the lead until the top of the seventh inning.
Lauren Hamilton (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville) (Woodenville, WA) and Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) (Garden Grove, CA) started things off as they drew back-to-back walks and both scored on a fielding error.
Bradac, on the mound for the Knights, gave up only her third hit of the game, a shot over the left field fence in the seventh inning to make it a 2-1 game. But the Lions were able to add three more runs on four hits in the seventh inning to take the win.
Bradac finished with three hits, one earned run, no walks and three strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Erica Clauss pitched seven innings for Columbia, allowing no earned runs and striking out three. Brianne Benedict (Alliance, OH/West Branch) (Alliance, OH) was 2-for-4.
In the second game, Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood)'s (Kent, WA) two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning put FDU on the board. But the Lions regained the lead on a four-run third inning.
FDU added two more runs in the third inning to tie the game. Lindsay Glidden (Peachtree City, GA/Starr's Mill) (Peachtree City, GA) and Kristen Coughlan (Mount Royal, NJ/Kingsway) (Mount Royal, NJ) started the inning off with back-to-back singles and they were moved over by a sacrifice bunt from Justina Augustine (Geneva, NY/Geneva) (Geneva, NY). Shreve collected her third RBI of the game with a single to center field to plate Glidden. Brittany Sheppard (Mahwah, NJ/Paramus Catholic)'s (Mahwah, NJ) single down the left field line pushed Coughlan across the plate.
Chantee Dempsey broke the 4-4 tie in the top of the fourth inning with a three-run home run to right center field. But the game was called in the top of the fourth inning, with two outs and one runner on base.
“Caitlin pitched a great game," said Head Coach Dale Martin. "I thought we played really sound defense and did a nice job overall in the first game. We are leaving too many people on base and not capitalizing on our opportunities, which allows the other team to stay in the game. We need to execute consistently and follow through on our progress. We can't let up ever.”
The Knights open the conference season when they host Central Conn. at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
