The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team opened its conference season against Central Conn. State on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-2 and 3-1. The Knights fall to 4-18 on the season, while the Blue Devils improve to 6-13 overall.
The Blue Devils put two runs on the board in the first inning as Tiffany Erickson led off with a single and then scored on Jacki Logan's fielder's choice. Kat Knowles drew a walk before crossing the plate on a fielding error.
The Knights threatened to even the score in the third inning, as Brianne Benedict (Alliance, OH/West Branch) (Alliance, OH) led off with a single, Justina Augustine (Geneva, NY/Geneva) (Geneva, NY) drew a walk and Ali Keltos (Shelton, CT/Lauralton Hall) (Shelton, CT) sent a blooper into left field that fell in to load the bases but the Knights were unable to capitalize.
The Blue Devils added to their lead in the fourth inning with three runs to take the 5-0 advantage, but FDU responded in the bottom half as Kristen Coughlan (Mount Royal, NJ/Kingsway)'s (Mount Royal, NJ) walk led things off and Brittany Sheppard (Mahwah, NJ/Paramus Catholic) (Mahwah, NJ) smacked a double to put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Augustine sent an RBI single to right field to plate Coughlan. A double to center from Keltos pushed Sheppard across the plate to make it a 5-2 game.
The Knights tried to come back in the seventh, but the rally was halted as Central Conn. took the 5-2 win. Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) (Garden Grove, CA), on the mound for the Knights, scattered six hits, allowing four earned runs and striking out two. Trina Fields (Norridge, IL/Ridgewood) (Norridge, IL) came in for relief in the fifth inning, throwing strikes with 11 of her first 12 pitches. She held the Blue Devils hit-less for three innings, walking one and recording four strikeouts. The Knights collected 11 hits.
The Knights came out strong defensively in the second game, as Allaire Primiano (Tarrytown, NY/Sleepy Hollow) (Tarrytown, NY) turned a double play, catching a line drive and shooting it to first. Sheppard then ended the inning with a diving catch at second.
Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) (Kent, WA) helped her own cause, starting the offense in the second inning with a leadoff double, scoring on a bunt by Alex Schubert (Maybrook, NY) to give FDU a 1-0 lead.
Central Conn. knotted the score in the top of the third as Jenna Earley crossed the plate on a double by Kendall Sours. The Blue Devils broke the tie in the top of the fifth when they put up two more runs.
The Blue Devils loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning, but Shreve was able to force a groundout to end the inning and FDU fell 3-1. Shreve allowed only one earned run on four hits in seven innings, while striking out five.
The Knights left 13 batters on in the first game and six in the second.
“It's going to be hard to win if we keep leaving all of our base runners,” said Head Coach Dale Martin. “We have to do a better job of executing the simple things, and scoring leadoff runners. We are going to work hard at minimizing mistakes- that creates a situation where we are fighting from behind. I think the challenge will be if we are willing to dig deep enough within ourselves to push through and respond to situations in ways that we are capable of doing.”
FDU is back in action on Sunday, March 29, when they host Quinnipiac in a doubleheader that starts at 12:00 p.m.
