HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU softball split a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader against Monmouth in the Knights' 2026 home opener.
FDU jumped out to a great start in game one of the doubleheader. In the second inning, freshman
Amanda Jupinka stepped up to the plate for her first career at-bat in Hackensack. It was a memorable one for the Old Bridge, N.J. native, as she sent a 1-2 pitch over the left-center field fence for her first career home run. The two-run shot put the Knights ahead 2-0, giving them a lead they would never relinquish. FDU tacked on more runs in the third, as MIkayla Conklin reached on an error, driving in a run. Also in the third inning,
Kailee O'Sullivan unloaded on a pitch for a three-run home run, breaking the game open. FDU would plate three more runs in the fourth to take a 9-0 lead. In the circle,
Jamie Sencion was dominant, shutting down the Hawks' bats. The sophomore hurled a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits and striking out four in the process. FDU walked away with a 9-0 win after just five innings.
The Knights took the lead first in game two, continuing their strong offensive momentum. RBI doubles from
Ayden Stone,
Sophia Ayala, and
Madison Rishel kickstarted an early 3-0 lead for FDU. Monmouth punched back in the fourth inning, scoring three runs off FDU starter
MaryJane Limon and tying things at three. The Knights took the lead right back in the fifth inning, as
Kailee O'Sullivan and
Rebecca Merkes drove in runs to put FDU ahead. Monmouth immediately took the lead from FDU in the top of the sixth. After putting traffic on the basepaths, the Hawks plated four runs in the sixth, taking a 7-5 lead. Mikalya Conklin and O'Sullivan helped FDU tie the game up yet again in the bottom of the sixth, making it a 7-7 game heading into the seventh. In the top frame of the final inning, Monmouth kept the bats hot. A two-run home run by Gianna Stern and a three-run home run by Ella Levinson cracked things open, giving Monmouth a 12-7 lead. The Knights rallied again in the seventh, as
Brianna Holguin plated a run while reaching on an error. It proved too little too late for FDU, as they could not generate any more offense, ending the game in a 12-8 loss.
FDU hits the road to face Saint Peter's in a mid-week doubleheader on Thursday, March 26. First pitch in Jersey City, N.J. will come at 2 p.m.
