The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team defeated in-state rival, Monmouth in a double-header Friday, April 15 in West Long Branch, NJ. With the wins the Knights improve to 20-15 on the season with a 5-7 record in the Northeast Conference.
The Hawks began game one with three runs in the third inning after a series of hits and errors. The Knights trailed 3-0 until the fifth inning.
With two outs in the fifth, Maria Roney (Anacortes, WA/Anacortes) reached on a fielding error and was driven home by a double from Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove). In the sixth, Liz Woidt (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) doubled to right-center and advanced to third on a strike out. When Paige Castro (Elk Grove, CA/Franklin) reached on a fielder's choice, Woidt scored to bring the Knights within one run.
Woidt scored again for the Knights in the seventh after walking with two outs. Maire Shaugnessy batted in the run with a double to center-field. The Hawks could not score in the seventh inning and the game was forced into extra innings.
Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch in the top of the eighth inning. A double from Marikka Benson (Lacey, WA/Timberline) scored Shreve, giving the Knights a 4-3 lead.
Shaughnessy picked up the win for the Knights after pitching six innings and allowing just one run. She walked one batter and struck out six.
The Knights started the second game with two runners on after singles Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) and Benson. Another double from Bradac scored a run to give the Knights an initial 1-0 lead.
Monmouth tied the game with a run in the second on a double and a single from Monmouth's fifth and sixth batters. They took the lead in the third after advancing runners on several hits and a sacrifice bunt.
Berkleigh Massey (Oceanside, CA/Rancho Buena Vista) and Woidt both reached base early in the fourth inning, setting up Shaughnessy at the plate. Shaughnessy hit a double to right-center field to score both runs and give the Knights the lead. With two outs in the fourth Shreve singled to score Shaughnessy and was driven home on a double from Benson, bringing the score to 5-2.
The Knights added to their lead with two runs in the fifth inning on another two-run double from Shaughnessy.
FDU allowed two Monmouth runs to score in the sixth inning but kept the Hawks scoreless in the seventh to maintain a 7-4 lead.
The Knights were led offensively by Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy went 3-for-4 on the day, including two extra-base hits and four RBIs.
With the win, Bradac moves to 9-4 on the season. She pitched seven innings against Monmouth, allowing five hits and four runs, while striking out seven batters.
"It was a big day for us," said Head Coach Dale Martin. "We played solid defense and had timely hitting."
"It is always very nice to sweep a quality opponent like Monmouth," added Martin.
The Knights have a quick turnaround this weekend as they travel to Wagner for a double-header on Sunday, April 17.
