GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team (2-7, 0-0 NEC) took on Villanova and East Carolina on the second day of the Pirate Invitational, hosted by ECU at Max R. Joyner Field. FDU fell to Villanova in a seven-inning battle as the Wildcats scored three runs against FDU's one, but later had an exciting victory against the East Carolina Pirates in an eight-inning contest, winning with a score of 6-5.

Villanova Recap

FDU had a rocky start offensively as Villanova struck quickly with a solo home-run by pitcher Paige Rauch at the top of the first inning. FDU did not respond until the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman Hayden Salter hit an RBI single up the middle, moving Jess Dewitt down to third, and allowing junior Cassidy Triska to score what would be the Knights' only run of the game, tying the score at one a piece. In the top of the seventh inning, Villanova shortstop Megan Kern hit a two RBI home run to right field, causing FDU to fall to the Wildcats 3-1 in the first game of the afternoon.

East Carolina Recap

For the second time in the Pirate Invitational, the Knights (2-7, 0-0 NEC) faced the East Carolina Pirates (6-8, 0-0 AAC). Both teams went scoreless in the first inning, with ECU scoring the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Right fielder Sydney Yoder grounded out to first base, allowing DH Taylor Woodring to advance to third, and catcher Sophie Wools to score. In the same inning, shortstop Jocelyn Alonso fouled out to right field, letting Woodring score from third. FDU went on to give up three more runs in the bottom of the third inning, giving the Pirates a 5-0 lead.  The Knights found their footing in the fifth-inning as junior Savannah Thornell hit a 2 RBI single down the middle. In this play, Salter advanced to second base as Jess Dewitt and Brandi Mitchell scored two runs. Courtney Mahoney hit out to right field allowing Salter to score a run. Shortstop LoriAnne O'Connor hit a single up the middle that paved the way for Sabrina Javorsky and Lauren Luna to round home plate, tying the game 5-5.  At the top of the eighth, O'Connor scored FDU's final run of the game off of Andreya Flores' single to right field. With this, the Knights' secured their victory with a final score of 6-5 as they split wins with East Carolina in the Pirate Invitational.

The Knights are set to play their home opener doubleheader on Wednesday, March 2nd, as they take on Columbia University of the Ivy League Conference at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m live on NEC Front Row. 

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