The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team opened its 2010 season at the Norfolk State Spartan Classic on Saturday, dropping a 4-2 game to Iona before bouncing back for a 1-0 victory against host Norfolk State.
Iona had a four-run fourth inning to take the lead, led by Eileen McCann's two-run home run. The Knights responded in the sixth inning as Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) had a two-run home run, plating Kristen Kinneer (Pottstown, PA/St. Peter's), who reached on a fielding error, but it wasn't enough as the Gaels took the 4-2 win.
Trina Fields (Norridge, IL/Ridgewood) took the loss for the Knights on the mound, allowing four hits in 3.2 innings, striking out five. Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.
In the second game of the day, the Knights picked up the only run of the game in the eighth inning. With Bradac placed on second due to tiebreaker rules, Elizabeth Woidt smacked an RBI single to left field.
Bradac earned her first win of the season on the mound, allowing five hits in eight innings and striking out four.
The Knights will close out competition at the weekend tournament on Sunday with an 11:00 a.m. game slated against Rider and a rematch versus Iona at 1:00 p.m.
