The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team split a pair of games with Manhattan on Wednesday, April 20. The Knights fell in game one, 5-1, and took the win in game two, 8-4. They move to 22-17 on the season, while the Jaspers are now 17-19.
The Jaspers started the game with momentum on their side with a walk, a stolen base and an advanced runner before there were any outs. A ground-rule double drove home a run to give Manhattan a one-run lead. They added a second run on a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
In the second inning the Jaspers singled, recorded a single and two doubles to pick up another two runs, increasing their lead to four runs. After two singles, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly the Jaspers held onto a 5-0 lead in the fourth third inning.
Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) smacked a homerun to centerfield to begin the fourth inning but did not spark a run for the Knights. The Knights left several runners in scoring position and ultimately fell, 5-1.
Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) pitched six innings for the Knights with seven hits, four earned runs, one walk and five strikeouts. Shreve is now 4-7 on the season.
A single from Maria Roney (Anacortes, WA/Anacortes), a walk from Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) and a walk by Lauren Hamilton (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville) loaded the bases for the Knights in the second inning of game two. Paige Castro (Elk Grove, CA/Franklin) drew another walk to force in a run, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead. A single from Marikka Benson (Lacey, WA/Timberline) drove in two runs to increase the lead to three runs.
Kristina Walaraven added a run for the Jaspers in the bottom of the third when she doubled with a runner on second. Bradac added to the Knights' lead with an RBI double in the fifth inning. Allaire Primiano (Tarrytown, NY/Sleepy Hollow) singled up the middle to drive Bradac home, increasing the Knights advantage to 5-2.
The Knights added three more runs with five hits in three innings. The Jaspers threatened the Knights' lead with two runs in the seventh inning but could not make it any closer. The Knights took the win, 8-4.
Shreve and Primiano led the Knights with two hits each in game two. Shreve also recorded two RBIs and a walk.
Shaughnessy earned her eighth win of the season on the mound. She pitched seven innings, allowing just four earned runs.
"We did a much better job cashing in with timely hits," said Head Coach Dale Martin of game two. "Our leadoff batters did a great job getting on base and we were able to drive runs home to get the win."
The Knights host Fordham on Thursday, April 1 in a 3:00 pm start. They then travel to Hamden, CT on Saturday, April 23 to take on Northeast Conference foe, Quinnipiac. The first of two games is scheduled for noon.
