WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Fairleigh Dickinson softball (4-11, 0-0 NEC) hits the diamond in New Jersey Tuesday for the first time since March 2 on the banks of the Hackensack when the side hosted Columbia in a 3-1 victory for the Knights over the lions. FDU heads to the shore on Tuesday, March 15, when the Knights pay Monmouth a visit for the third and fourth games of the season against the Hawks. First pitch of the twin bill is scheduled for 12 p.m. at MU Softball Park in West Long Branch, N.J.

Having enjoyed a nine-day layoff since last facing the Hawks, FDU comes into Tuesday's game well-rested as the side looks to snap a four-game skid which includes a loss in the second meeting of the season against Monmouth. Spending a weekend in North Florida to take part in the UNF-JU Spring Break Challenge, FDU crushed the Hawks in the first meeting of the season (first since 2016) back on March 4 in 9-1 rout, a six-inning victory for the Burgundy and Blue. Reigning NEC Player and Rookie of the Week, freshman Jess DeWitt, led the way for FDU with three hits in four at-bats (.750), three RBIs and a run scored. Inside the circle, senior left-hander Alayna Savaglio picked up her second victory of the season tossing six full innings, allowing just one hit, one unearned run and a single walk while striking out five Monmouth batters. Monmouth used three pitchers in the duel with none going more than 4.1 innings of work.

Battling again two days later, the offense heated up on both sides with Monmouth looking to avoid the weekend sweep by the Burgundy and Blue. The Hawks put-up a four-spot in the first inning, digging a whole for FDU before they got a chance to come to the plate. The Knights would respond resiliently courtesy of freshman Andreya Flores and senior Jillian Ward who each provided RBIs to make it a two-run game as Monmouth was in front 4-2. Junior Cassidy Triska would score sophomore Megan Berg in the bottom of the second on a single down the left side to push FDU to within one. 

Striking a run in the third and sixth innings, FDU was down 6-3 heading into their final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh. DeWitt would be the hero with a sacrifice fly to score Triska to set the Knights down two. Her heroics were followed by fellow newcomer Sabrina Javorsky's fielder's choice which scored senior Courtney Mahoney who had to dance around an obstructing Hawks catcher to score. Her run would be the final as the Knights would drop the final game of the weekend 6-5 in Jacksonville, Fla.

"We are excited to be back home against in-state foe Monmouth after our past three road weekends down south," remarked head coach Chris Foye. "Tomorrow's doubleheader will be a great tune-up as we start our conference schedule this weekend up at Central Connecticut."

Sitting with a 3-13 record on the season, Monmouth enters Tuesday's matchup on their home field for the first time this season. With their previous three games cancelled, the Hawks look to get back on the right note following a one-run loss (2-1) to Towson in the Towson Tiger Clash. Prior to beating FDU on March 6, Monmouth had lost their previous 11-consecutive and followed-up the win over the Knights by edging out Albany 9-8 to go two-in-a-row.

As Foye mentioned in his comments, the Knights next face Central Connecticut in the start of NEC play with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 19, and a single-game on Sunday, March 20. Saturday's start times against the Blue Devils are 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. while Sunday's game has a scheduled first pitch of 12 p.m. All three games of the series will be played at CCSU Softball Field in New Britain, Conn. and air live on NEC Front Row.

Fans can stay connected with FDU softball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsSB.