HACKENSACK, NJ - The Fairleigh Dickinson softball team (3-7, 0-0 NEC) took on the Columbia Lions in their non-conference home opener this afternoon in Hackensack.  FDU took the game with a final score of 3-1.

The Knights and the Lion were scoreless in the first three innings, but this scoring drought came to an end when the Nutley native LoriAnne O'Connor made it to first on a throwing error.  This came after senior Courtney Mahoney walked allowing the freshman shortstop Brandi Mitchell, who pinch ran for junior Savannah Thornell, to advance to second. After freshman Isabella Herring was hit by pitch Mahoney advanced to second as Mitchell advanced to third.  When O'Connor reached first on the throwing error, Herring advanced to third allowing Mahoney to score, putting the Knights up 1-0.

The Lions had an answer to the Knights run as Lauren Osborne doubled allowing Columbia to tie the score 1-1 at the top of the fifth.  However, the Knights did not stop there as they had two runs at the bottom of the fifth.  Freshman Andreya Flores singled down the left field, and Sydney Newton pinch ran for Flores.  Newton then stole second.  Freshman Jess Dewitt singled to left field, and got caught up between first and second base eventually advancing to second as Newton was able to score a run, putting the Knights up 2-1.  Dewitt was then able to advance to third on a wild pitch.  Freshman Hayden Salter registered an RBI single allowing Dewitt to score FDU's final run of the game. 

Columbia was not able to answer in the final two innings.  FDU took down the Lions with a final score of 3-1.

Coach Foye's Thoughts 

"Great team win today! Alayna was on top of her game, we played great defense and had timely hitting to push three runs across. We are getting better every game and hoping to carry the momentum of our last two wins into this weekend's games down at UNF and Jacksonville."

What's Next

Chris Foye and the Knights continue play as they head to Jacksonville, FLA. for the UNF-JU Spring Break Challenge.  The Knights will play a double header on Friday, March 4 as they are set to play Monmouth and North Florida.  The Knights will take on Holy Cross and Jacksonville Saturday, March 5th, and they will rematch Monmouth on Sunday, March 6th in the final came of the Spring Break Challenge. FDU will head back to Jersey as they will face Monmouth again in a double header in West Long Branch on Tuesday, March 15th.
 

Stay connected with FDU softball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsSB.