LORETTO, PA – FDU softball (20-18, 11-4) picked up a weekend series win against Saint Francis U ( ) out on the road in Loretto. FDU dropped the first game by a score of 10-2, before sweeping a Sunday doubleheader to win the series.
Game One
The Knights suffered a tough loss to kick things off in Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon. FDU fell to the Red Flash 10-2 in six innings. The Knights hung around early in the game, as
Ayden Stone scored on a wild pitch, and
Kailee O'Sullivan picked up an RBI single. Despite the Knights' efforts, a big sixth inning rally by the Red Flash did FDU in. Knights' starter
Julia Swan gave up an RBI single to make it a 6-2 game. Saint Francis then loaded the bases, and freshman Sofia Zielinski hit a grand slam, putting the Red Flash up 10-2. Swan picked up the loss in the outing, but managed to save the Knight bullpen by pitching a complete game.
Game Two
Heading into Sunday, the Knights looked to shake off their game one loss. The squad immediately shifted the vibe from the day prior, jumping out to a quick lead.
Zoe Valdez started off the day for the Knights with a big three-run homer in the second inning.
Madison Rishel followed Valdez with an RBI triple, and the Knights lead 4-0 in the second inning of game one. FDU would not give up the lead for the rest of the day. The Knights sent their ace
Brooklyn Shroyer out to the circle to pitch game one, and she delivered yet another gem. Shroyer shut down the Saint Francis bats, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out 10. She finished the afternoon with a six-inning complete game. The Knights tacked on even more insurance with a big five-run sixth inning, and walked away with a 12-2 victory. FDU dominated on the offensive side, as well as in the circle. The Knights even got some stellar defensive play. In the second inning,
Mikayla Conklin made a highlight-reel
home run robbery to help the Knights escape the inning.
Game Three
Riding high off of their early afternoon win, the Knights continued to dominate heading into the rubber match of the series against Saint Francis.
Ayden Stone began things with a first inning, two-run double. Some quick early offense found the Knights ahead 7-0 in just the fourth inning. The power was on display in game two for the Knights, as both
Erika Barela and
Ayden Stone went deep with solo shots. The Knights offense would wind up putting up another 12-spot, helping the team cruise to victory.
Julia Swan had a great bounceback performance in the circle for FDU in game two, twirling a complete game and picking up her 11th win of the season.
WHAT'S NEXT
FDU will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon. The Knights will host a mid-week doubleheader against Stony Brook, with first pitch coming at 2:00 p.m. Coverage will be available on NEC Front Row.
Connect with FDU softball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsSB.
Kai-Zen Fitness is the presenting sponsor for the 2025 FDU Softball season.
