HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team split a two-game series with the Bryant Bulldogs on Sunday, April 13 at FDU Softball Field.  The Knights fell, 8-1, in game one before picking up a 3-0 win in the second contest of the day.  The Knights move to 17-15 on the year with a 6-6 Northeast Conference record, while the Bulldogs advance to 14-18 this season with a 5-9 mark in conference action.

The Bulldogs took a six-run lead through the fifth inning by scoring one run in each the second, third and fourth innings, adding two runs in the fifth and holding the Knights scoreless.

The Knights allowed Bryant to score on two sacrifice flies, an outfield error and two home runs, both to center field, but stifled the Bulldog offense later in those innings to leave five Bulldogs on base through five innings.

A bunt single by Julia Northcutt (Irvine, Calif./Northwood High School) gave the Knights a base runner in the bottom of the fifth.  Freshman Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School) doubled to left field to drive Northcutt in and put the Knights on the scoreboard with two outs.

The Bulldogs recorded their third home run of the day in the top of the sixth to increase the lead to 8-1.

The Knights put one runner on base in the seventh but could not produce a rally.

The Bulldogs took the win in game one, 8-1.

Senior Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) moved to 6-3 on the year with the loss.  Shaughnessy allowed three earned runs on six hits through four innings.  Samantha Lemm (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional High School) pitched three innings of relief, allowing four earned runs on six hits.

As a team, the Knights recorded six hits, walked once and struck out three times in the first game.

The Knights took a 1-0 lead early on with a first inning home run to center field by Mikayla Fernandez (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo).

The Bulldogs threatened in the top of the fourth with runners on the corners, but a charging catch by Hayley Floyd (Selah, Wash./Selah High School) in left field prevented Bryant from evening the score.

Bryant again produced base runners in the top of the sixth on a walk and a double.  With runners in scoring position starting pitcher, Loren Stavrou (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson Classical High School), struck out the final batter of the inning to end the danger.

The Knights added two runs in the bottom of the sixth.  After Floyd reached on an error, Wilen walked to put runners on first and second.  Shaughnessy laid down a sacrifice bunt and drove in Floyd when she was called safe at first on a throwing error by the pitcher.

Before the end of the inning, Courtney Slye (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley High School) made contact to drive in Wilen and give the Knights a 3-0 advantage. 

The Bulldogs added one run in the top of the seventh and pressured FDU with another base runner, by a strikeout and a lineout ended the game with the Knights on top 3-1.

Stavrou earned the win in game two.  She allowed one run on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks through a complete seven innings.  Stravrou moves to 5-3 on the season.

The Knights recorded three hits collectively in the win.

FDU will be back in action for a midweek nonconference tilt when they host St. John's on Wednesday, April 17.