HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team (6-16, 6-14 NEC) rallied in game two with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as FDU came back to win game two 11-9 after dropping game one 5-4 in nine innings to Wagner (10-14, 6-14 NEC) on Friday afternoon from the FDU Softball Field.

In game one, graduate student Madison Emerson led the Knights with a 4-5 effort from the dish and drove in two runs. Junior Courtney Mahoney went 2-5 and scored two runs. Sophomore Hailey Ramberg drove in FDU's final run of the game. Fellow junior Alayna Savaglio recorded a complete game as she pitched nine innings and struck out 13 batters.

In game two, sophomore Cassidy Triska gave FDU the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer and went 2-4 from the dish, with four RBI's in game two. Junior Jillian Ward went 2-3 from the plate, hit a homer, and drove in three runs. Emerson went 2-4 with two RBI's and a run scored. Ramberg also launched a homer in the game and scored two runs.

Coach Foye's Thoughts

"Our team has fought hard all year especially in comeback situations. Even when we get down I am confident that we have a chance to win. Today we had two great comebacks. I thought we were going to come all the way back to win game one after we had the winning runs on base we just couldn't pull it out. Game two was definitely our best comeback of the year scoring 5 in the bottom of the sixth on 3 HR's, something I don't think we have ever done before. I believe that energy will carry over to tomorrow and give us a chance to get two to win the series."

"Maddie was incredible again today at the plate. She has been our best hitter all year and continues to get huge hits in big spots. Alayna struggled a little at times today but she battled once again like she has done all season, kept us in the game and put us in a position to win." 

"Jill hit her first career HR today and it couldn't have come at a better time. She has worked hard the past few weeks and it was great to see it pay off. Cassidy had a tough first game today, but she always has the potential to get a big hit or HR and her HR in the second game today to put us up was as big as they get."

Game 1: Wagner 5, FDU 4 (F/9)
How it Happened

• Savaglio took the mound in game one and Wagner loaded the bases with no outs, but Savaglio was able to strike out the next three batters and keep the Seahawks off the board.
• After two more scoreless innings, junior Courtney Mahoney recorded her second hit of the game with a double to center field and was driven in by Emerson via a single down the right field line as FDU took the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third.
• After another shutout inning from Savaglio in the top of the fourth, FDU added another run to its lead in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to center from Ramberg that scored freshman Megan Berg to give the Knights a 2-0 advantage.
• Wagner cut into the FDU lead in the top of the fifth with an RBI triple, but Savaglio retired the next two batters to keep it a 2-1 advantage.
• The Seahawks took the lead in the top of the sixth with a two-run homer and extended the lead to 4-2 in the top of the seventh.
• With Mahoney and Bell on base in the bottom of the seventh, Emerson roped a ball to center field that brought both runners home and tied the game at 4-4.
• Neither team was able to record a hit in the eighth inning, but Wagner retook the lead in the top of the ninth and Emerson reached second with a double in the bottom half before Wagner ended the game.

Game 2: FDU 11, Wagner 9
How it Happened

• Senior Abby England took the hill in game two and retired the Wagner side in order in the top of the first before graduate student Summer Mendonza scored a run after Emerson tried to steal second as FDU took a 1-0 edge.
• Wagner scored a run in the top of the second, but the Knights plated five runs home in the bottom of the second led by a two RBI single from Ward, an RBI single from Emerson, and a two RBI single from Triska as FDU led 6-1.
• The Seahawks came right back with four runs of their own off a grand slam and trailed 6-5, but added another run in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 6-6.
• After Wagner took a 9-6 lead in the top of the fifth, the Knights rallied to regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth as they exploded for five runs.
• Ramberg opened the inning with a homer to center field, then Ward homered to right center, and Emerson singled to center field to bring Mendoza home to tie the game at 9-9.
• With Emerson advancing to second base, Triska came up from the clean-up spot and gave FDU the lead with a homer to left center field to take an 11-9 lead.
• After Wagner got a runner to second to open the top of the seventh, Bell shut the door with three straight outs to earn the day one split.

What's Next
FDU will conclude its four-game series against Wagner tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. The games can be watch on NEC Front Row.