SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – FDU softball (18-17, 9-3) split a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader against Seton Hall ( ). The Knights dropped the first game 10-7 before taking game two by a score of 3-1.
Game One
The fans in at Mike Sheppard, Sr Field were treated to a back-and-forth thriller in game one between the two squads. FDU jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, as
Madison Rishel scored on a passed ball in the first inning. Seton Hall immediately responded with some offensive firepower, scoring five runs in the bottom half of the first to take a commanding lead. The Pirates would add to their lead with two more runs in the second inning, making it a 7-1 ballgame. Despite the early deficit, the Knights were not deterred, and kept fighting. A big third inning gave FDU a spot of life, as the Knights plated three runs to shorten up the lead. They would inch even closer in the fourth, as
Isabella Herring laced a two-run single to cut things to a 7-6 ballgame. Seton Hall punched back in the bottom half of the fourth with two more runs, and proceeded to control the game from that point. The FDU bats were shut down over the final few innings, and Seton Hall escaped with a 10-7 victory.
Game Two
The second game of the doubleheader saw FDU turn to
Julia Swan in the circle, who aimed to ride the momentum from her recent no-hitter against CCSU on 4/4. Swan did just that, cruising through four innings of work, allowing just one run on three hits. FDU did damage in a big third inning rally, plating all three of their runs in the frame. Trailing by 1-0, the Knights loaded the bases for the top of the order.
Madison Rishel came through, hitting an opposite-field RBI single to tie the game at one.
Brianna Holguin followed suit, and gave FDU a 2-1 lead on an RBI groundout. The rally was capped by
Kailee O'Sullivan, who stepped to the plate and crushed a double to center field to bring in the Knights' third run of the inning. The score would hold at 3-1 for the remainder of the game, as FDU pitching completely shut down the Pirates. Head coach
Chris Foye turned to
Brooklyn Shroyer in relief of
Julia Swan. The sophomore lit up the Seton Hall lineup. Shroyer pitched three scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and striking out five. Things got a little tight for Shroyer in the seventh inning, as she found the bases loaded after a hit-by-pitch, single, and error. With the tying run at second and just one out, Shroyer buckled down. She induced a pop-up to pick up the second out, and struck out Seton Hall's Naya Martinez with a full count to end the ballgame, and give FDU a 3-1 win.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Knights will head back into NEC play, and travel to Loretto, PA to face Saint Francis. FDU will begin a three-game set against the Red Flash on April 12. First pitch comes at 1:00 p.m, with coverage 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.
