BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – The Northeast Conference announced their weekly softball awards on Tuesday afternoon. FDU was represented by freshman Madison Rishel this past week, as she picked up the NEC Rookie of the Week Award.

It is the first time Rishel has been awarded the honor in what has been a dominant freshman campaign so far. The Strongsville, OH native has taken a stranglehold of the leadoff position in the Knights lineup as just a rookie. She has also appeared in all 30 games this season, starting 28 of them for head coach Chris Foye. She has held down a role as the starting center fielder for FDU.

Rishel has been utterly dominant at the plate in the leadoff spot for the Knights this season. She paces the conference in batting average, currently positng a .422 mark on the season. She also ranks among the top of the NEC in hits as just a freshman. Rishel also leads FDU in OPS, total bases, OBP, and SLG%.

She picks up the Rookie of the Week honor following a stellar week in which she helped the Knights go 3-2. Rishel hit a monstrous .500 throughout the week for the Knights, going 8-for-16. To add to her impressive average, she scored three runs, and drove in one.

Rishel was joined by teammates Julia Swan and Erika Barela in the NEC's weekly awards. Swan and Barela were each named Prime Performers for their efforts throughout the past week.

Rishel and the Knights will be back in action on Friday, April 4, when they host CCSU for a weekend series.

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Kai-Zen Fitness is the presenting sponsor for the 2025 FDU Softball season.