The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team swept Wagner in their final home series of the 2012 season. The Knights improve to 30-18 on the season, with a 7-11 Northeast Conference record, while the Seahawks drop to 15-33, with a 4-14 NEC record.
After defeating the Seahawks 6-3 in game one, the Knights came from behind with a string of hits in the bottom of the seventh inning in game two. A two-run single by Bryana Dorado (Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard) ended the game in the Knights' favor, 8-7, in game two.
A homerun to left-center field game Wagner a quick 1-0 lead in game one, but half an inning later the Knights' bats responded. A string of singles from Lauren Hamilton (Woodinville, WA/Woodinville), Cindy Zamudio (Wilmington, Calif./Redondo Union) and Kirsten Shreve (Kent, WA/Kentwood) loaded the bases for Caitlin Bradac (Garden Grove, CA/Garden Grove). Bradac drove in a run when she reached on an error by the catcher. Jordan Needle (Camarillo, CA/La Reina College Prep) put the Knights ahead 2-1 on the fourth single of the inning, driving home Shreve.
The Seahawks homered to center field to start the fourth inning, tying the game at two runs each.
In the bottom of the fourth, Paige Castro (Elk Grove, CA/Franklin) reached on a bunt and advanced to second on an infield error. She advanced to third and eventually scored on another infield error in which Hamilton reached base. With Hamilton on first, Zamudio hit her second home run of the season to give FDU a 5-2 lead.
The Knights added a run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double by senior Allaire Primiano (Tarrytown, NY/Sleepy Hollow) to hold onto a 6-2 lead.
The Seahawks fought back with a run in the sixth on a third homerun but they were unable to cut the Knights' deficit. The Knights took game one, 6-3.
Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) earned her 17th win of the season in the game. She freshman struck out 12 batters, while allowing three earned runs on seven hits.
Zamudio led the team with two RBI, while Shreve, Needle, Primiano and Hamilton each added one.
Dorado started game two with a walk in the bottom of the season. Primiano hit a triple to the right-field gap to drive home the run and put the Knights ahead 1-0.
Wagner tied the game in the top of the fourth on an RBI single.
The Seahawks took control of the game in the top of the sixth with five runs on four hits and three FDU errors. After the scoring spree, Wagner led 6-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, Bradac reached on an error by the WC infield to put a runner on base. Needle hit her fifth career home run to bring the Knights within three runs.
A double from Dorado was followed by a walk from Primiano and a single from Castro. Castro's hit drove in Dorado and brought the Knights within two runs.
A bunt from Hamilton allowed Primiano to score and cut the Wagner advantage to just one run, 5-6.
Wagner extended their lead on another home run to center field in the top of the seventh.
A single from Bradac sparked a hit streak for the Knights in the bottom of the seventh inning. A single from Needle put two runners on for Maria Roney (Anacortes, WA/Anacortes). Roney smacked a double down the right field line to drive in a run and bring the score to 6-7.
As the next batter, Dorado hit a single up the middle. Needle scored from third on the play to tie the game at seven, before Roney rounded third and slid into home to take the lead.
The Knights took the 7-8 walk-off win.
Dorado and Needle led the team in game two with two RBI each. Roney, Primiano, Castro and Hamilton each added one as well.
Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) started the game for FDU. She allowed six runs, all unearned, on 11 hits and struck out three through 5.2 innings. Reiner relieved Shaughnessy in the sixth inning. She struck out three and allowed just one earned run on one hit.
The Knights will conclude their season on Saturday, May 5 with a double-header at Bryant.
