NORFOLK, Va. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team earned a 4-2 victory over Delaware State University to begin the 2013 season on Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Norfolk State Spartan Clash.

After a scoreless first inning, the Hornets mounted an offensive attack in the top of the second. Two consecutive singles, followed by a fielder's choice and an infield error, put runners on second and third with two outs. The Knights allowed one run to score on an infield error and saw Delaware State take a 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly to left field. 

Senior Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) helped FDU respond in the bottom of the second with a solo home run to left field. Angelique Nieves (Union City, N.J./High Tech High School) and Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School) both followed with a single, and Julia Northcutt (Irvine, Calif./Northwood High School) advanced the runners on a bunt up the middle. DSU recorded an error in an attempt to throw Northcutt out, which allowed Nieves to score an unearned run to tie the game at two.

Nieves homered to lead off the bottom of the fourth, giving FDU a 3-2 lead. After the Hornets relieved their starting pitcher, Wilen singled up the middle for her second hit in her collegiate debut. She eventually made it around the bases on a pair of groundouts and scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 4-2.

Shaughnessy relieved starting pitcher Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) in the top of the fifth and pitched three scoreless innings to seal the 4-2 win for FDU.

Reiner (1-0) earned the win in her first start of the season after allowing just two unearned runs and three hits in 4.0 of work. Shaughnessy allowed just one hit, while walking one and striking out two, in 3.0 innings to earn the save.

Offensively, the Knights combined for eight hits, with Nieves and Wilen each recording two.

“The team answered back each time Delaware State mounted a challenge,” Head Coach Candi Letts said. “Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) and Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) combined for a good outing. We learned a lot today about what we need to improve on and also that we can compete when we are challenged."

The Knights are back in action on Monday, Feb. 25 when they face Norfolk State and Delaware State on the final day of competition at the Spartan Clash.