The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team defeated Columbia University, 4-2, on Thursday, April 28 in New York, NY. A double-header was scheduled between the Lions and the Knights but after a two-hour rain delay the second game was halted due to darkness. The Knights improve to 23-21 on the season, while the Lions drop to 16-26.
The Knights took the first run of the game in the top of the third. A homerun by freshman Paige Castro (Elk Grove, CA/Franklin) put the Knights up 1-0 until the top of the sixth. Marikka Benson (Lacey, WA/Timberline) began the inning with a walk and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt from Maria Roney (Anacortes, WA/Anacortes) and a fly out from Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove).
With two outs in the sixth freshman Berkleigh Massey (Oceanside, CA/Rancho Buena Vista) walked and stole second base. A bad throw on the steal enabled her to take third and sent Benson home to give the Knights a 2-0 lead.
The Lions retaliated in the bottom of the sixth. After two Columbia batters drew walks, Karen Tulig singled through the left side to drive both runners home.
With the score tied at two runs in the top of the seventh, Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) singled to second base. A sacrifice bunt from Allaire Primiano (Tarrytown, NY/Sleepy Hollow) moved Shaughnessy to second. Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) secured the win for the Knights with a two-out two-run homerun to left field.
Bradac picked up her 11th win of the season with three strike outs in seven innings.
"Great to see us respond right away after Columbia tied the game at two," said Head Coach Dale Martin. "It was a great game for us. Hopefully this will give us some momentum as we head into the weekend."
The Knights will travel to Emmitsberg, MD on Saturday, April 30 to face Mount St. Mary's before hosting Long Island in the season finale on Sunday, May 1 in Hackensack, NJ.
