HACKENSACK, N.J. - Under the threat of inclement weather, FDU softball (22-26, 9-11 NEC) hit the field on the banks of the Hackensack for the final Northeast Conference series of the 2023 regular season, welcoming in Wagner. The Knights' arms were firing on all cylinders and the bats found a way as the Knights posted identical 4-0 finishes to sweep the day-night doubleheader Friday.
 

Game 1 Recap

Graduate student Alayna Savaglio got the starting nod in game one as the Knights' southpaw sought her eighth win of the campaign. Going 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit, Savaglio received some run support in the bottom of the third with senior catcher Hailey Ramberg plating home sophomore Jess DeWitt and fifth-year Courtney Mahoney for 2-0 lead with one out. Ramberg was pinch run for by sophomore Brandi Mitchell who swiped second base, her first stolen bag of the season, while senior Savannah Thornell crossed home plate to extend the lead to 3-0.

Senior Cassidy Triska's first hit of the afternoon came in her fourth at-bat of the day with an RBI double through the left side of the infield to score junior Megan Berg, the icing on the cake for a 4-0 Knights victory to eliminate the Seahawks from postseason contention.

Savaglio tossed her team-leading 14th complete game of the year allowing just three hits in 28 batters faced with four strikeouts on 125 pitches.
 

Game 2 Recap

As if the story repeated itself from the day's opener, Chris Foye's team opened up the scoring in the third with an RBI single by Thornell to score her fellow senior Triska for the nightcap's opening run. The Knights wouldn't strike again until the fifth when Hooper posted an extra-base hit to score Payton Wagner and double the lead to 2-0. Berg notched the third run of the game which was scored by Ramberg though the risky base running by Hooper limited the Knights to a lone run at the plate as a result of the at-bat and led 3-0. Mahoney would later add the cherry on top with an RBI double to right field, to score Triska and cement a 4-0 home victory.

Malori Bell earned the game two start and threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings, exiting with a 1-0 lead as sophomore Julia Swan came on for the save opportunity.

FDU closes the three-game set on Sunday, April 30 at 12 p.m. at FDU Softball Field live on NEC Front Row.

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