TWITTER | LIVE STATS

HACKENSACK, N.J. - The 2016 season will begin the KJ Kelley era of Fairleigh Dickinson softball. Kelley inherits a team that has gone to back-to-back Northeast Conference Tournaments and was picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll.

Kelley comes to Hackensack after spending the last two seasons as the head coach of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. There Kelley led the Marauders to a 57-53 overall record and a 28-27 mark in the Northern Sun in 2014 and 2015.

"Our players are working hard each and every day to better themselves for the team this season", said Kelley. "My ultimate goal is to make every single player a better athlete, better student, and better person. I support their team goals to be hanging around at the end of the year on a mission."
Returning for the Knights is First Team All-NEC catcher Madelaine Wilen (Bakersfield, Calif./Ridgeview), who led the NEC in slugging last season -- .690. Wilen tied the school record for home runs in a season with nine and owns the career record with 18 homers in her career.

"The key to a great pitching staff is the battery mate. Maddy is a rock behind the plate", said Kelley. "We are looking for her to generate more consistent power for us in the middle of the order this year. Last season, she had one the best offensive seasons of any FDU hitter ever and is looking to improve on that this year. Maddy works well with the pitchers and can really manage the game."
Madison Lerma (Escondido, Calif./Escondido) returns for the Knights in the outfield after hitting .297/.328/.541 last season. The junior scored 14 runs, drove in 26 and hit eight home runs in 2015. Cheryl Lopez (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) also returns in the outfield for the Knights. The Staten Island, New York native hit .263/.305/.434 in 2015, scored 15 runs, had eight doubles and stole four bases.

Kelley said, "Maddie has figured out how to be an offensive threat and has come a long way in terms of coordinating the outfield. I look for Maddie to be one of our main contributors on and off the field and to be the vocal leader in the outfield".
Loren Stavrou (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson Classical) returns after recording a 6.64 ERA for the Knights in the circle in 2015. The senior had a 5-8 record -- 18 appearances overall -- with six complete games in 13 starts. Lopez recorded 31.2 innings of work with an 8.24 ERA and a 0-4 record.

"[Cheryl] will anchor the pitching staff as a junior. Cheryl will have a lot more movement on her ball and be able to really attack the batter. Offensively, we are looking for her to make a solid contribution in the order. Loren is getting better every day. She is really learning what she needs to do to become a great pitcher on the mound. She will be a great off-set to Cheryl as they are completely different pitchers."

Emma Deluca (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township), Courtney Slye (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley) and Stephanie Collins (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills) also return in 2016 for the Knights. Deluca was third on the team in home runs a season ago. Slye started 35 of 36 games for the Knights last season and hit .278. Collins played in 25 games last season.

"Emma has really figured some things out in terms of being a great hitter in the batter's box. Defensively, she continues to improve her range at first base and is getting better and better. Courtney has great instincts both at the plate and in the field. She is going to be a real force to be reckoned with. Steph has really come on in summer and fall in terms of being a more consistent all-around. I think she is going to be a viable part of our offense this year and a major contributor defensively in the outfield."

The Knights open the season with a road trip down to Elon, North Carolina to take on North Carolina A&T and the host Phoenix on February 27 and 28.

Full Schedule

Fairleigh Dickinson will also play in tournaments at Loyola Marymount from March 11-15, at St. John's March 18-20 and at Columbia March 25 and 26.

The Knights hosts Rider on March 23 in the home opener at 3 p.m. It is the lone non-conference home date for the Knights. Mount St. Mary's opens the NEC home schedule on April 2. Wagner comes to the FDU Softball field to conclude the regular season on April 30.

The Northeast Conference Tournament will be held May 12-14 at the regular season champion.

The 2016 Knights feature six newcomers -- five freshmen and one transfer.

Francine Villalobos (Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley) - Jr - Univ. Mary - Spent two seasons at the University of Mary (N.D.) and played in 95 games over those two years. Scored 40 runs and stole 24 bases.
"Franny has an incredible work ethic and plays with her heart on her sleeve day in and day out. We look for Franny to get a higher on-base percentage so that she can be a threat on the bases for us. Defensively, she keeps getting better and better at second base."

Serena Meehan (Couina, Calif./Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary) - Fr., MI/OF - Couina, Calif. - Holds the career and single-season stolen base record at Willson along with the single-season records in batting average and hits.
"Serena has worked hard on her fielding skills in the off-season and will hopefully be a strong part of our middle infield. We look for Serena to get on-base so the middle of the line-up can bring her in."

Baylee Ports (Shaftsbury, Vt./Mount Anthony Union) - Fr., P - Shaftsbury, Vt - Named 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year in Vermont after posting a 15-1 record for Mount Anthony Union.
"She has an incredible work ethic and is up to the task at hand. I am looking forward to her being a major contributor this year."

Reanna Cervantes (Upland, Calif./Upland) - Fr., C - Upland, Calif. - Second team all-league honoree as a sophomore and a junior. First team all-league as a senior.
"Every pitcher should have a great catcher and that is what we have in Reanna. She is a smart player who brings a lot of versatility and can play up the middle, on the corner, or behind the plate. Offensively, she is very strong and definitely has the potential to be one of our deadly hitters."

Kellie Natham (Arcadia, Calif./Maranatha) - Fr. - Arcadia, Calif. - First-team all-league in 2013-15 and First Team All-San Gabriel Valley in 2014. Hit .468 in high school and 108 RBI.
"She generates tremendous power and is unflappable in the field. She has no fear at the corner and does whatever it takes to get the job done. I am looking forward to her being a major contributor this year as a freshman."

Holly Mercier (Corona, Calif./Santiago) - Fr. - Corona, Calif. - Hit .377 with 12 RBI as a senior at Santiago High School as Santiago won its league.
"Holly is by far one of our most improved players. Both her hitting and fielding have come a long way and it is showing in practice. I think as time goes on she will only continue to get better. We are looking for her to be a major contributor in the outfield this season."