HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team announced its 2021 schedule on Tuesday afternoon. The Knights will play 40 games, consisting of 32 conference contests and eight non-conference games.

Fourth-year head coach Chris Foye and FDU are eager to return to the field after the 2020 campaign was ended after 16 games due to the pandemic. FDU has 16 home games and 24 games on the road.

"I am thrilled to be back with our team and my coaching staff along with the additions of new assistant coach Ally Vergona who will bring great energy and competitiveness to this program," stated Foye. "We are all looking forward to this spring after losing out last year to a Covid shortened 16 game season. After an elongated winter break the team is back working hard and preparing for the season."

The Knights will open the 2021 season on the road on Saturday, March 13 in Easton, Pa. when FDU faces Lafayette for a doubleheader. 

FDU will then head back on the road a week later and open NEC play against Saint Francis U, beginning Saturday, March 20. With the NEC's format for the entirety of the year, the Knights will also play the Red Flash on Sunday, March 21 in a doubleheader. 

Each NEC series will consist of doubleheaders on back-to-back days for a total of four games. There will be a 32-game conference schedule to be contested in a round-robin format over eight weeks (March 20 – May 9). The NEC Tournament will consist of four teams, double-elimination from May 13-15 with the highest seed hosting every game. 

"I believe the new format of our conference schedule, which will now consist of eight four-game series will be challenging, but I have no doubt that we will be up to the task," said Foye about the NEC format. "I am extremely grateful that our three seniors from last year decided to return for a fifth year and I feel their leadership mixed in with the rest of our dedicated players will lead to a very special 2021 season."

The Burgundy and Blue will continue its road trip when they travel to Stony Brook in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, March 24. The Knights 10-game road trip finally concludes on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28 against LIU. 

The Knights will play the first home series beginning on Friday, April 2 when Central Connecticut State comes to FDU Softball Field. FDU will also host a doubleheader against the Blue Devils on Saturday, April 3. After the home series, the Knights will head back on the road for a quick two-game series against Drexel on Thursday, April 8.

The Burgundy and Blue then will return home for a four-game series with Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Following the Mount series, FDU will travel to Fairfield, Conn. a week later to face Sacred Heart (Apr. 17-18).

FDU will then make program history as it will be the first time they face Merrimack since the Warriors joined the NEC during the 2019-20 calendar year when they play a home weekend series from (Apr. 24-25). 

The Burgundy and Blue will then be on the road for the final six away games of the year and round out non-conference play on (Apr. 28) against Fordham, The last NEC road series will be against Bryant (May. 1-2). The Knights will end the regular season with a weekend series against Wagner (May. 8-9).

"I love the energy and commitment that I have seen from them and I expect another successful season in 2021."

Be sure to follow @FDUKnightsSoft for updates throughout the season on Twitter and Instagram. As a reminder, all NEC contests will air on NECFrontRow.com.