HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team welcomes LIU Brooklyn on Friday, April 3, for a Northeast Conference doubleheader at the FDU Softball Field. The Knights' home opener will also serve as the first instance in which fans can help out with the team's second annual food drive. NEC Front Row will carry a live video broadcast.
Food Drive Info - In an effort to give back to the community that they call home during the school year, the FDU Knights Softball team will be kicking off their
Second Annual Food Drive this month and are asking their friends, families and fans to help them
"Knock Hunger Out of the Park" by donating non-perishable food items. A collection bin will be located near the Knights' bleachers at all home games throughout the season. Last year the team collected and delivered over 300 pounds of food to Helping Hands, a Teaneck food pantry, and an anonymous donation of $500 was made on their behalf to a national food bank. This year, with the help of their fans, the team hopes to collect 500 pounds of food. Out of town supporters are encouraged to make donations in the form of gift cards to local supermarkets. Gift cards can be mailed to the FDU softball Office. The Knights thank you for helping them
"Strike Out Hunger" in their community!
Last Time OutThe Knights, led by senior pitcher
Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall), swept a doubleheader against Wagner College on Monday afternoon. Reiner tossed consecutive complete game one-run gems. In game one,
Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School) scored from third after the Wagner catcher made an error trying to throw out
Angelique Nieves (Union City, N.J./High Tech High School) out at second on a steal attempt. Sophomore
Cheryl Lopez (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville)'s solo home run in the fifth eventually proved to be the difference in the game. In game two, Wilen smacked her first triple of the season and the next batter,
Alex Portesi (Chino, Calif./Don Antonio Lugo), doubled her home. The Seahawks tied things up at one the following inning but it was Wilen again who doubled home freshman
Nicole Bellini (Staten Island, NY /Tottenville High School) in the seventh to provide the Knights with the lead they needed to secure victory. Wilen is now batting .347 on the season with four doubles, a triple, and four home runs, and is close to joining the all-time doubles ranks in program history. The junior's .714 slugging percentage thus far would rank first in a single season in team history.
LIU Brooklyn2014 Season: 12-20 (2-0 NEC)
Where: Hackensack, N.J. (FDU Softball Field)
When: Friday, April 3 -- 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
What You Need Know: The Blackbirds have won seven of their last 10 contests, including a doubleheader sweep at home against Wagner on Sunday, and a standalone game against Saint Joseph's on Wednesday. Whitney West paces LIU on offense with a .353 average, three triples, and a team-leading 18 runs and 16 RBI, while also stealing nine bases in nine attempts. Victoria Zamora bats .298 but all others are below the .275 line. The Blackbirds have three pitchers who have struggled a bit this season, all with an ERA over 4.90 on the season. Shelley Proctor has eight complete games in 20 starts but a 5.95 ERA. LIU, as the #4 seed, reached the NEC Championship after defeating FDU in an elimination game, 7-4, and then defeating Central Connecticut State to reach the one-game final. Only one of three All-Tournament selections remains for the Blackbirds – Lauren Morizi, who leads the team with nine doubles and is batting .240 over all 32 contests.
Up NextThe Knights travel to Columbia on Sunday, April 8, for a doubleheader against the Lions. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
