NORTH ANDOVER, MASS.- FDU faced Merrimack in a doubleheader as part of their three-game weekend series.
After surrendering a walk to the first batter of the game, Brooklyn Shroyer did what she does best and struck out the next three hitters in order.
The Knights took the lead in the second inning thanks to an RBI-single from Isabella Herring to give FDU the lead.
Shroyer made quick work of Merrimack in the second retiring the batters in 1-2-3 fashion.
FDU could not generate any offense in the third.
Shroyer recorded another two strikeouts in the inning to bring her total to six in the first three innings.
Two more strikeouts in the fourth brought her total to eight without allowing a hit through four innings of play.
Sydney Newton added an insurance run for the Knights with an RBI-single in the fifth to make it a two-run ballgame.
Brooklyn allowed her first hit of the game after an error which would've ended the inning. The error led to the one and only run of the game scored by Merrimack.
Shroyer recorded her 10th and 11th strikeouts in the game during the sixth inning. This marked her third straight game with 10+ strikeouts and her 10th of the season.
Three nice plays from the FDU defense ended the game in the 7th inning with the Knights coming out victorious by a score of 2-1.
Shroyer recorded 11 K's throughout the game while allowing zero earned runs and only two hits.
Ayden Stone ripped a triple to right field to provide a two-out spark for the Knights, but FDU couldn't capitalize as Erika Barela grounded out stranding Stone at third.
Merrimack seized an early opportunity as Arvai's grounded into a double play that brought in a run. Kaduson's triple added another as FDU trailed 2-0 after the first inning.
The second inning passed quickly for FDU as the Knights went down in order.
Merrimack couldn't build on their early momentum. as Julia Swan retired the side in order, keeping the score at 2-0.
In the third, Angela Costa reached first on an error, but FDU couldn't capitalize as Stone grounded out to end the inning.
Merrimack couldn't add to their lead either. Hubbard walked, but Lanpher struck out and Hubbard was picked off thanks to a heads up play by the catcher Andreya Flores. An Arvai pop up ended the inning.
FDU rallied in the fourth. Barela's homer, her second of the season, got the Knights on the board. Megan Berg's single extended her hit streak to seven as Costa brought Berg home with an RBI-single, leveling the score at 2-2.
Merrimack had a chance to respond but couldn't capitalize as Palyan's groundout ended the inning
Both teams went quietly in the fifth, leaving the score unchanged.
Merrimack regained the lead in the fifth. Lanpher walked which set the stage for Arvai's single that brought Lanpher home, putting Merrimack ahead 3-2.
FDU looked to respond but failed to generate any runs on offense.
Merrimack couldn't extend their lead, with Kaduson and Sosnovich reaching base but failing to score.
In the final inning the Knights went down in order as they failed to complete the comeback losing the game by a score of 3-2.
The Knights aim to clinch the series with a victory in tomorrow's showdown, set to kick off at 11 AM on April 14th.
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