Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team split a Northeast Conference doubleheader with Bryant on Saturday to move to 7-15 (4-4 NEC) on the season. The Bulldogs, with their 12-5 game two win, see their record shift to 11-24 (2-2 NEC) on the season.
Game one featured a pitching duel between staff aces
Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) and reigning NEC Player of the Year Elle Madsen.
Madsen was impressive with seven hits and one earned run allowed, plus no walks and nine punchouts in seven full innings, but Reiner twirled a gem to grab the victory and move to 7-6 on the year. The senior allowed just three singles and a double, while walking no one and striking out four in her seventh complete game.
Cheryl Lopez (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville)'s go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded provided all the offense the Knights would need.
Reiner started game two but was unable to record an out, giving up four straight hits, although the run scored against her came when Madeline Velasquez stole home.
Loren Stavrou (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson Classical High School) replaced her teammate and worked out of trouble.
FDU tied the game up at one when
Madison Lerma (Escondido, Calif./Escondido) scored on a throwing error by catcher Cassie Mejia after she stole third.
The Bulldogs roared back with five runs in the second on six hits and the Knights chipped away with three of their own in the next frame. Freshman
Nicole Bellini (Staten Island, NY /Tottenville High School) singled up the middle, reigning NEC Player of the Week
Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School) doubled to center, and
Alex Portesi (Chino, Calif./Don Antonio Lugo) singled to score Bellini.
Angelique Nieves (Union City, N.J./High Tech High School)' groundout scored Wilen and Elle Madsen was recalled back into the circle.
Bryana Dorado (Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard)'s RBI single made the score 6-4 but Madsen got the final two outs of the inning in succession.
The hosts put up another five-spot in the fourth to take a seven run lead, 11-4, after Lopez had replaced Stavrou on the bump. The inning featured a Lauren Keast three-run home run with two outs.
Although FDU gained a run back in the sixth with a Bellini sacrifice fly to score
Courtney Slye (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley High School), Maritza Martinez helped the Bulldogs maintain their seven-run lead, 12-5, in what end up being the final score.
Stavrou falls to 0-5 on the season with the loss in game two. Wilen enjoyed a 4-for-8 day at the plate but the team as a whole left 15 runners on base and struck out a combined 19 times.
FDU returns home to host Saint Francis University tomorrow, Sunday, April 12. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. NEC Front Row will carry live video coverage.
*The FDU Softball team asks for your help with its annual food drive. Please bring non-perishable items to FDU Softball Field during all home contests.*
