HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University softball team took a five-inning 9-1 win over Iona on Wednesday, April 24 at FDU Softball Field.  With the win, the Knights move back to .500 with a 19-19 overall record.  The Gaels drop to 9-33 on the year with the loss.

The Knights got on the scoreboard early with a lead-off home run from freshman Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School).  After one out, Mikayla Fernandez (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) singled up the middle before Angelique Nieves (Union City, N.J./High Tech High School) reached on an infield error.  With two runners on, Cindy Zamudio (Wilmington, Calif./Redondo Union) doubled to right center field to score the runners and put FDU up 3-0.

In the top of the second, Iona's leadoff batter singled up the middle.  The Gaels then drew a walk to put two runners on with two outs.  A bloop single to center field scored a runner from third base to put the Gaels on the scoreboard, but starting pitcher Samantha Lemm (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional High School) forced a pop up to end the inning.

The Knights added two runs in the third on another two-run double by Zamudio.  The hit down the left field drove in Fernandez and Courtney Slye (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley High School).

In the fourth, FDU put up another run on a Fernandez double down the left field line.  Before the end of the inning, Julia Northcutt (Irvine, Calif./Northwood High School) crossed the plate on an error by the Iona catcher and Fernandez scored on a wild pitch to give FDU a 8-1 advantage.

With a seven-run lead in the fifth, senior Maire Shaughnessy (Culpeper, Va./Highland) hit her third home run of the season over the center field wall to put the Knights ahead 9-1 and end the game. 

Lemm earned the win with one run allowed on two hits through five innings.  Lemm struck out five batters and walked just one.

Zamudio led the Knights with four RBI on the day, while Wilen, Fernandez and Shaughnessy each added one.

The Knights are back in action on Saturday, April 27 as they host Saint Francis University in a 1 p.m. double header.  Seniors Fernandez and Shaughnessy will be honored for their contribution to FDU prior to the game.