HACKENSACK, N.J. - Fairleigh Dickinson softball fell to a game under .500 Wednesday following the Knights back-to-back losses against Rider Wednesday at FDU Softball Field in a day/night doubleheader against the Broncs.

FDU was shutout in both games, dropping the first 3-0 and the second 9-0 (five innings). After allowing a two-spot in the top of the first prolonged by an error in the infield, FDU trailed by two runs until the sixth inning when the Broncs tacked-on another to extend the lead to 3-0, enough to put the game out of reach. FDU would produce a hit in four of the seven innings played in the series opener. Junior shortstop Cassidy Triska produced two of the Knights' four hits in the game.

Chris Foye turned to Malori Bell for the start in the circle. The Jersey native allowed just two earned runs in 6.0 innings of work before the side turned to senior southpaw Alayna Savaglio who retired three of her four batters faced in the top of the seventh to limit the damage in non-conference play. Sophomore Megan Berg who earned the start in right field and Triska each hit for extra bases in the matchup (doubles).

In game two, Foye changed up the lineup with only two of the Burgundy and Blue's regular starters seeing action in Triska and senior Hailey Ramberg who's spent time as the Knights' designated player this season; Ramberg served as the Knights' catcher in the nightcap. Rider would score in each inning except the fourth and forced a call to FDU's bullpen in the third inning when the side turned to Mia Faieta following Payton Wagner's opening appearance. Jersey City, N.J. product senior Jillian Ward took the spot at third base and recorded a double in the matchup, one of just two Knights hits against Rider, the other coming of of freshman Isabella Herring's bat.

"We just weren't ready to play against a good team in Rider today," said Foye following the pair of losses. "We need to be better in all facets as we have a big conference series with Mount St. Mary's coming up this weekend. A long season is always going to be filled with ups and downs; the plan will be to get back to basics and continue to compete the way we were before this recent bump in the road."

Foye and the Knights resume Northeast Conference play on Friday, April 15, with a doubleheader at Mount St. Mary's live on NEC Front Row followed by a single game on Saturday, April 16.