KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team split a pair of games on the first day of action at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.  After Monday, the Knights move to 5-5 on the year.

The Knights defeated Akron, 3-1, in game one but fell to the Bulldogs of Butler, 3-0, in the afternoon contest.

The Knights held the Zips scoreless in the top of the first and began their attack in the bottom of the inning.  Cindy Zamudio (Wilmington, Calif./Redondo Union) recorded an infield single and reached third base on a ground out.  With one out, Angelique Nieves (Union City, N.J./High Tech High School) singled and advanced to second on a throwing error.  The hit allowed Zamudio to score and give FDU an early 1-0 lead.

The Zips responded in the top of the second after their leadoff batter doubled and was advanced on two consecutive singles.

In the bottom of the third the Knights reclaimed the lead.  Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School) reached first on a fielder's choice and stole second with one out.  A double by Nieves drove Wilen to the plate to put the Knights ahead, 2-1.

The Knights extended their advantage in the bottom of the sixth when Nieves singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland).  Sophomore Bryana Dorado (Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard) singled to center field to drive in Nieves and give the Knights a 3-1 lead.

The Zips challenged in the top of the seventh with two runners on with no outs.  With one out, an infield error allowed the Zips to load the bases but before the play was complete, Zamudio threw out the leading runner at third base to eliminate a runner in scoring position.  The final batter lined out to Nieves at third base to seal the 'W' for FDU.

Shaughnessy earned the win, her second of the season, with a complete game.  She allowed six hits with just one run in seven innings of work.  The senior struck out one and walked one.

In game two, the Knights faced Atlantic-10 foe, Butler.  The Bulldogs used three one-run innings to earn a 3-0 win.

In the bottom of the second including a single, a stolen base and an infield error put runners on second and third.  A wild pitch allowed the Bulldogs to take a 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-0 with solo homeruns in the fourth and sixth innings.

The Knights created chances in the sixth and seventh but could not produce runs and left a combined three runners on base.

Samantha Lemm (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional High School) took the loss with two earned runs on five hits through five innings.  Sophomore Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) pitched one inning of relief.  She allowed no hits and struck out two batters to end the sixth inning.

Offensively, the Knights produced nine hits against Butler, led by three hits in three at bats for freshman Courtney Slye (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley High School). 

The Knights will continue action at the Rebel Spring Games on Tuesday, March 12 with two afternoon contests.  FDU will face Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. before taking on Creighton at 5 p.m.