Live StatsHACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team (6-12, 3-3 NEC) heads to local rival Columbia (8-16, 5-3 Ivy) for a nonconference Wednesday doubleheader at Columbia Softball Stadium. First pitch in game one is slated for 3 p.m.
Last Time OutThe Knights compiled a 3-1 record last week between two Northeast Conference doubleheaders at Wagner College and at home against LIU Brooklyn. Senior pitcher
Megan Reiner (Los Angeles, Calif./John Marshall) started all four contests and through three games she had allowed just 10 hits, two earned runs, and three walks while punching out 19 opposing hitters in 21 full innings. After her three complete games, including a 4-0 shutout of the Blackbirds, she lasted just one-plus innings in game two, giving up four earned runs on four hits. FDU took both contests at Wagner with identical 2-1 scores.
Cheryl Lopez (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville)'s solo home run in the fifth inning proved to be the difference and
Madelaine Wilen (Bakerfield, Calif./Ridgeview High School)'s go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning of game two grabbed victory for the Knights.
Wilen was named the Northeast Conference Player of the Week for her stellar offensive numbers in those four contests. The junior catcher was instrumental in all three FDU victories and kept up her hot-hitting in the final 13-2 loss to LIU Brooklyn by going a perfect 3-for-3. After both doubleheaders, Wilen hit .583 with three doubles, her first career triple, a home run, four runs scored, two walks and two RBIs.
Columbia2014 Season: 8-16 (5-3 Ivy League)
Where: New York, N.Y. (Columbia Softball Stadium)
When: April 8, 2015 – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
What You Need To Know: Before last year, these two schools had met at least once in the seven previous seasons. The Knights hold a 9-7 all-time record over the Lions. Kerry Cook is the lone Columbia regular batting over .300 (.347) with 26 hits in 24 contests. Madison Gott has tallied two home runs and four doubles on the season, while Alix Cook, batting .222, leads the team with 13 runs scored. Kayla Shimoda has struggled for average with a .138 total but is tied with Gott on two homers and is also a threat on the bases with nine steals in 11 attempts. Both seniors Cook and Shimoda batted well over .300 last season so a return to that standard is certainly doable. Tonia Wu is 4-7 despite very solid numbers - a 2.51 era and six complete games in 75.1 innings pitched. Jennifer Teague is in her first year at the helm.
Up NextThe Knights travel to Bryant for a NEC doubleheader on Saturday, April 11, before hosting Saint Francis University in Hackensack the following day, Sunday, April 12. First pitch of game one against the Bulldogs is slated for 12 p.m. NEC Front Row will carry live video coverage.
