BROOKLYN, N.Y. – FDU softball (24-26, 13-8) dropped their second game of the 2025 NEC Championships on Saturday to #1 LIU (26-22, 16-5) by a score of 5-4. The loss eliminates FDU from the post-season, and ends the season.

FDU and LIU each went into the Saturday match-up facing elimination, following losses by each team in their first game of the tournament on Thursday. Head coach Chris Foye sent Brooklyn Shroyer out into the circle to try and stave off elimination.

The Knights grabbed the first bit of momentum, with a two-out third inning rally. Brianna Holguin beat out an infield single to allow a run to score. Holguin then went first to home on a monster RBI triple by Kailee O'Sullivan. 

FDU held that 2-0 lead until the fourth inning, when LIU finally cracked Shroyer. Alyssa Polemeni homered in the fourth to cut the Knight lead to just one. After Shroyer walked a batter and hit another, LIU found themselves with two runners on. Jen Rodriguez came through in the cluch for the Sharks, lacing a two-out, pinch-hit, two-run single to give LIU their first lead.

The score held 3-2 into the sixth inning, as time started to run out for FDU. Down to their last few outs, the Knights started off the sixth with a single by Barela, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of Ayden Stone. The junior lived up to the moment, and crushed a dramatic, two-run, go-ahead home run over the left field fence, sending the Knights into a frenzy. Following the home run, Celeste Quezada laced a single to right field, and chased LIU starter Sophia Mariottini from the game. 

The Knights ultimately could not advance Quezada over any further, and Alyssa O'Donnell came in from the pen to shut things down for the Sharks, sending things to the bottom of the sixth. 

Down to their final six outs, LIU came alive. The Sharks put a pair of runners on base, and turned things over to Hannah Burnett, who hit an RBI single off of Shroyer, tying the game at four. Just one batter later, Alyssa Garcia up and delivered the biggest hit of the day, sending a ball down the left field line for a go-ahead RBI double.

Trailing 5-4 heading into the final inning, FDU was unable to get another runner on base, going down in order to end the game.

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