FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team dropped a pair of games against Sacred Heart University Sunday afternoon by scores of 6-1 and 1-0. The losses move the Knights to 12-21 on the season, including a 4-4 mark in conference play.
FDU returns to action on Wednesday, April 25th when they head to Chestnut Hill, Mass. for an afternoon doubleheader against Boston College.
Game One: Sacred Heart 6, Fairleigh Dickinson 1
The Knights offense was stifled heavily in game one, as the NEC-leading Sacred Heart pitching staff went to work. Starter Emily Orosco threw a compete-game two-hitter, giving up just one run and walking two against the FDU bats to earn the win.
The Pioneers smashed home runs in three consecutive innings to start off the game and build up a 4-0 lead. Kelyn Fillmore knocked a solo shot into left in the bottom of the first before Katelyn Christian blasted one to the same spot in the second to push the lead to 2-0.
A two-run shot from Fillmore in the bottom of the third gave her her second homer of the game and extended SHU's lead to 4-0.
Sacred Heart put two more across the plate in the bottom of the fourth to blow the game wide open at 6-0. Reanna Cervantes managed to recoup one in the top of the 6th for FDU after her double scored Holly Mercier, but the comeback fell short.
Game Two: Sacred Heart 1, Fairleigh Dickinson 0
Although the Knights bats were limited to just one hit in game two, pitcher Baylee Ports was strong in the circle for FDU, scattering just six hits and striking out a pair to keep the Knights within striking distance all game.
After a 1-2-3 first inning, Ports mangled to work out of a two-on, two out jam in the second by fanning Pioneer catcher Caroline Kruger at the plate to get the punch out and end the Pioneer rally.
Sacred Heart pushed their first run across in the bottom of the third after a single from Kelyn Fillmore led to an over throw from center fielder Rylie Schmeh allowed Mangiameli to score from third.
Ports kept the Knights in it, giving up just three hits over her final three frames, however the FDU bats could not solve SHU pitcher Kristen McCann, who retired nine of the last ten batters faced to end the game and preserve the 1-0 win.
