The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team was swept by Sacred Heart, 9-1 in five innings in both games, on Saturday afternoon. The Knights are now 9-35 on the season, with a 4-14 mark in Northeast Conference action, while the Pioneers improve to 18-26 overall, with an 11-7 mark in league play.

The Pioneers opened with a five-run first inning to take the lead, adding three more runs in the second. The Knights were able to get on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning, as Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) started the offense with a single to right field. Alex Schubert drew a walk and Brianne Benedict (Alliance, OH/West Branch) getting hit by a pitch plated Shreve.

The Pioneers were able to add one more run to end the game in five innings, 9-1. Justina Augustine (Geneva, NY/Geneva) finished the first game 2-for-2 and Shreve was 2-for-3.

In the second game, the Knights took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Benedict's double to left field moved Brittany Sheppard, who reached on a fielder's choice.  Shreve singled through the right side to push Sheppard across the plate and give FDU the lead.

But Sacred Heart's seven-run bottom of the inning gave the Pioneers the big advantage. SHU added a pair in the bottom of the fourth to end the game in five innings.

Shreve pitched four innings, allowing one earned run.

The Knights will host their final home games of the regular season on Sunday, April 26 against Bryant.