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HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team (10-13, 1-1 NEC) will host a pair of Northeast Conference doubleheaders this weekend at the FDU Softball Field. The Knights will take on Central Connecticut on Saturday with first pitch beginning at 1 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend with Mount St. Mary's at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
 
Last Time Out
FDU swept Saint Peter's on Wednesday at the FDU Softball Field behind strong pitching and the offense clipping the Peacocks' pitching. In game one of the twinbill, junior Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) made sure it was a no fly zone for the Peacocks, as she struck out seven batters, walked none and allowed only two unearned runs on five hits in her performance. Reiner moved to 7-3 and threw her seventh complete game, lowering her ERA to 2.03. The Knights mercy ruled Saint Peter's in game one, winning 14-2, as every starter scored at least one run.
 
In game two, FDU jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the second and never looked back. Redshirt senior Liz Woidt (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) hit a three-run double to right center to put the Knights up early in the first. Woidt finished the day 4-for-5 with five RBI for FDU. Two-run home runs by sophomore Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School) and junior Cindy Zamudio (Wilmington, Calif./Redondo Union) helped the Knights maintain the lead throughout the contest. Zamudio went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader, scoring five runs and boosting her average to a team-leading .360. Wilen hit two home runs in each contest.
 
Central Connecticut
2014 Season: 16-11 (4-2 NEC)
Where: Hackensack, N.J. (FDU Softball Field)
When: Saturday, April 12 - 1/3 p.m. (DH)
Series History: CCSU leads 9-5 (since 2006)
Last Meeting: April 21, 2013 - CCSU 9 FDU 1; CCSU 4-0 (DH)
What You Need To Know: In the previous five seasons the Knights and Blue Devils have alternated sweeps dating back to 2009. FDU hopes to keep that tradition alive this weekend but it will be a tough challenge with the Blue Devils being projected to finish first in the NEC in the preseason coaches' poll. Freshmen Alexis Debrosse leads CCSU on the offensive end, hitting .338 to go along with a team-high four home runs and 16 RBI. Senior Arielle Bruno and junior Kat Malcolm both lead the team with 28 hits. Bruno also has two home runs and 11 RBI, and Malcolm has two home runs and 10 RBI. The Knights will have to look out for Laura Messina in the circle, who leads the Blue Devils' pitching with 21 games started and 17 complete games. Messina (13-8) has an impressive 1.77 ERA and has struck out 135 batters.
 
Mount St. Mary's
2014 Season: 15-15-1 (3-1 NEC)
Where: Hackensack, N.J. (FDU Softball Field)
When: Sunday, April 13 - 12/2 p.m. (DH)
Series History: MSM leads 16-8
Last Meeting: March 24, 2013 - MSM 3 FDU 1; FDU 11 MSM 2 (DH)
What You Need To Know: The Knights will have a quick turnaround to face off against the Mount on Sunday afternoon. The Mount was picked to finish eighth in the conference in the NEC preseason polls but has started conference play 3-1. The Mount has struggled on the offensive end, with no one hitting over .275 in 31 contests. The pitching staff has a three-peak Mountain in the circle with Nicole Pagano, Danni Cummings and Sam Lichtner, who combine to have a team ERA of 1.97. Pagano (11-5) leads the pack with a 0.90 earned run average, striking out 141 batters and going the distance 13 times in 14 chances.
 
Up Next
 The Knights will host a nonconference doubleheader with Army on Tuesday, April 15 with first pitch at 3 p.m. at the FDU Softball Field.