Columbia Box Score Howard Box Score
The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team concluded play at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL with an 11-3 win over Columbia and a 4-1 win over Howard. The Knights improve to 13-4 on the season, with a 6-4 record in Kissimmee.
Columbia began the game with a three runners reaching base and threatening to take the lead early. Freshman pitcher, Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall), ended the inning, leaving two runners on base, with two consecutive strikeouts.
Cindy Zamudio (Wilmington, Calif./Redondo Union) walked to begin the bottom of the first and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Paige Castro (Elk Grove, CA/Franklin). Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove) put the Knights on the board with a long single to center field.
After Jordan Needle (Camarillo, CA/La Reina College Prep) singled and Maria Roney (Anacortes, WA/Anacortes) walked, Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) approached the plate with the bases loaded. Shreve reached on a fielder's choice and drove home a run to bring the score to 2-0.
Columbia took a 3-2 lead in the top of the second on a home run to left field and a two run single.
The Knights reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the second. Marikka Benson (Lacey, WA/Timberline) and Zamudio both singled before Castro was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Bradac. A single by Bradac drove two runs home, before an error by an infielder allowed Castro to score, bringing the score to 5-2. A single from Bryana Dorado (Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard) drove home a fourth run in the inning.
Three runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two RBI double from Roney, brought the score to 9-3 as the fifth inning started.
The Knights went on to add one run in the fifth and one in the sixth to take an 11-3 win over Columbia.
Reiner earned her seventh win of the season in the circle. She allowed two earned runs on eight hits. She struck out four and walked no one.
Bradac led the Knights at the plate with two hits in two at bats and two walks. She also drove in a game-high three RBIs. Castro also went 2-for-2. Roney drove in two runs, while Mikayla Fernandez (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo), Needle, Dorado and Shreve all added one RBI.
In game two the Knights faced Howard University. Zamudio, Woidt and Bradac each reached base in the top of the first, loading the bases with no outs for Needle. A single down the right-field line drove in two runs to give the Knights an early two-run lead. A double from Roney gave the Knights a three-run advantage after one inning.
The Bison got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning with a string of singles.
The Knights secured the win with another RBI from Needle in the fifth inning. Bradac earned the win, her third win of the season. She struck out seven batters, while allowing eight hits and one earned run. Needle led the team at the plate with three hits in four at bats. She also had three RBIs.
The Knights will travel to West Point, NY on Tuesday, March 20 for an afternoon double-header.
