HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team will begin Northeast Conference action this weekend, as they travel to West Long Branch, N.J. to face the Hawks of Monmouth on Saturday, March 23 and move south to Emmitsburg, Md. to take on Mount St. Mary's on Sunday, March 24.
The Knights are 8-8 on the year after going 4-4 at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. last week. Freshman Courtney Slye (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley High School) leads the team offensively with a .333 batting average and three home runs, while sophomore Angelique Nieves (Union City, N.J./High Tech High School) hits .289 and sophomore Bryana Dorado (Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard) bats .283 with two home runs and a team-leading eight RBI.
As a whole, the Knights have scored 43 runs in 16 games, while allowing opponents to also put 43 runs on the board.
On the mound, freshman Loren Stavrou (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson Classical High School) paces the Knights with a 2-0 record and a 1.62 ERA. Senior Maire Shaugnessy leads the team with three saves on the season and a record of 3-1. The team holds a combined ERA of 2.07 with 64 strikeouts through 108 innings pitched.
Monmouth is 9-8 on the season after recently losing four-consecutive games in central Florida. Like the Knights, the Hawks began their season at the Norfolk State Classic with two wins over Delaware State.
Last season, the Hawks finished with an overall record of 24-20 and an NEC mark of 12-8 for a fourth-place finish and an NEC Tournament appearance. The Hawks record included two wins over FDU in Hackensack. This year, the Hawks are predicted to finished fourth in the conference.
Individually, the Hawks are led by sophomore infielder Kayleene Flores, who averages .347 from the plate with six RBI in 17 games. Monmouth has three others hitting over .300, plus a local senior, Kate Kuzma, who hits .175 but has mounted 14 RBI and five home runs.
Cerissa Rivera leads the team from the circle with a 4-2 record and a 2.02 ERA. As a team, the Hawks hold an ERA of 2.71.
First pitch in the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the MU Softball Park.
The Mount is 5-12 on the year after winning four straight and will play Bryant on Saturday before facing the Knights at noon at Our Lady of the Meadows Field.
Last season, the Mountaineers finished with an overall record of 17-34 and an NEC mark of 8-12 for a eighth-place finish, just one spot above the Knights. MSM's record also included two wins over FDU in Hackensack. The Mount was predicted to finished eighth in the conference in the preseason coaches' poll this season.
Individually, the Mount is led by sophomore catcher Rachel Teti, who averages .400 from the plate in 10 games. Junior Cat Clifford is hitting .327 through 17 games with 11 RBI and five home runs.
Junior righty Nicole Pagano leads the team in the circle with all five of the Mount's wins and an ERA of 3.83.
Sunday's matchup will also be a doubleheader.
“Obviously we have prepared all season long for conference play to begin,” Head Coach Candi Letts said. “We have to get better every game, and we need to keep improving so that we can compete at a high level and earn one of the top four spots for the conference tournament. That starts Saturday.”
Following the conference openers, the Knights will host LIU Brooklyn on Friday, March 29 at the FDU Softball Field.
