SAN DIEGO - FDU softball split the first two games of the Torero Classic, falling to Utah Tech in the first-ever meeting between the two Division I institutions in a 2-1 game, followed by a 5-4 win over San Diego, the host of the weekend's event, in the nightcap.
 

Utah Tech Recap

Opening up the weekend in Cali with a matchup against the Trailblazers, FDU was down 2-0 early after graduate student Alayna Savaglio conceded an RBI triple in the first inning of play, followed by a single to score the second - and game-winning - run of the afternoon for Utah Tech. After the top of Chris Foye's lineup was sat down in order to begin the day, FDU's bats were slow to heat-up as each of the Knights' first nine plate appearances resulted in outs. With one away in the top of the fourth, fifth-year center fielder Courtney Mahoney would scratch FDU's first hit of the day to extend her hot streak at the plate. Nothing would come of Mahoney on base, though Savaglio would settle in, allowing only one hit in the next three innings.

With Mahoney again at-bat and senior Cassidy Triska on-base, the Allenwood, N.J. product would get the Knights on the board with a double to her defensive position, a shot to center field to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the top of the sixth. The road would end there for the Burgundy and Blue as the team fell in their opener in San Diego.
 

San Diego Recap

Facing the Toreros in the nightcap, FDU sent a new-look lineup out as Foye would start two freshmen in California native Kendalyn Macias and Gabby Santora. San Diego product Jess DeWitt, the reigning Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, contributed to the scoring affair as the sophomore was involved in two of the Knights' three runs in the first inning of the game. DeWitt singled up the middle to score Macias, unearned, while advancing to second on the throw, moving Mahoney to third base. Triska would reach safely with thanks to the fielder's choice scoring Mahoney and moving the Patrick Henry alum DeWitt to the far corner. Heads-up base running on DeWitt's part led to the third run as Triska was thrown out caught stealing third for the second out as DeWitt would cross the plate safely to put FDU up 3-0 in the first.

Adding-in three runs in the fifth to tie the game, the Torero bats was were on fire though it would be the fundamentals that prevailed as Mahoney grounded-out to second to score Isabella Herring for the Knights' fourth of five runs on the evening. With the bases juiced in the seventh, DeWitt was hit by the pitch she faced to score Santora, giving FDU their fifth run. San Diego would add one more in the bottom of the seventh, though Julia Swan would power through in the circle to give FDU a one-run victory to even their day to 1-1.
 

What's Next

The Torero Classic continues tomorrow, Saturday, February 18 with two games as the Knights battle Boise State and (RV) Wichita State at USD Softball Field.

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