JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It's been nothing short of a "rookie show" so far this season for Fairleigh Dickinson softball (4-8, 0-0 NEC) as the Knights split a separate opponent day/night doubleheader on Friday to begin the UNF-JU Spring Break Challenge, jointly hosted by North Florida and Jacksonville, the latter of which FDU will face tomorrow afternoon, March 5. Through 12 games in the young season, FDU's freshmen have been nothing short of spectacular as reflected by almost every box score thus far.

Getting Chris Foye's Knights off to a stellar start in game one against Monmouth was newcomer LoriAnne O'Connor who's RBI walk in the top of the second brought in the opening run of the game and put FDU up 1-0 with junior Savannah Thornell crossing the plate. In the following at-bat, fellow third-year Cassidy Triska took first base after a seven-pitch walk to score freshman Sabrina Javorsky. With one-time NEC Rookie of the Week Jess DeWitt in the box, a bases-clearing double to left was in store putting FDU up 5-0, as the freshman scored senior Jillian Ward, O'Connor and Triska. Keeping the rally alive, Thornell advanced to second on a wild pitch which allowed DeWitt to put up the Knights' sixth run of the game and move freshman Hayden Salter to third.

Senior Courtney Mahoney provided the final RBI of the second frame for the Knights as the Allen, N.J. product took a four-pitch walk to score Salter and give the Burgundy and Blue a comfortable seven-run cushion over the Hawks. Moving to the sixth inning, Javorsky hit a rocket to left-center field for her first career home run, a two-run blast scoring Salter and giving FDU a 9-0 lead. Taking a no-hitter into what could have been the final inning, FDU senior Alayna Savaglio allowed a double to Monmouth's Kiley O'Rourke which produced an unearned run. The Knights would topple the fellow New Jersey school 9-1 in six innings to begin the day in the Sunshine State.

Sending rookie Julia Swan to the circle in game two, FDU's bats had trouble heating up in the afternoon tilt despite a staggering eight hits in the first game. Only two FDU hitters would produce hits (one each) in Triska and NEC batting average leader freshman Andreya Flores. Scoring in the first two odd-numbered innings, the home Ospreys tallied three runs in the home half of the first and both sides failed to score in the second. North Florida would put up a five-spot in the bottom of the third to finish-off the scoring as the ASUN school would hold on for the 8-0 win in five innings, snapping the Knights' three-game winning streak. Junior Malori Bell came on in relief of Swan, pitching one complete inning not allowing a hit while recording a strikeout, her 15th of the campaign.

With two days remaining in the event, the Knights turn their attention to an 11 a.m. showdown with fellow northeast institution Holy Cross on Saturday, March 5, in Jacksonville at the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex on the campus of Jacksonville University. At 4 p.m. FDU will face the Dolphins. Fans can follow the action from both games by clicking here or by visiting JUDolphins.com

Connect with FDU softball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsSB.