HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU softball dropped both games of a conference doubleheader to LIU on Sunday afternoon.
LIU jumped out to a hot start in game one, taking a 4-0 lead after just the first inning. The Sharks hit three straight doubles in the first inning to kickstart the offense. LIU's Lily Hinkle hit a solo shot in the second inning to make it a 5-0 lead, chasing FDU starter MaryJane Limon from the game. The Knights got on the board in the second after a solo home run from Kailee O'Sullivan. LIU would punch back in the fourth inning, scoring three more runs to make it 8-1. FDU plated three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Sharks' lead to 8-4. FDU was unable to find a shutdown inning afterwards, giving up two more runs to LIU to make it a 10-4 game. The Knights had some traction on the bases in the seventh, and scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Mikayla Conklin, but could not get the offense moving any further. FDU fell by a 10-5 final in game one.
The Sharks' offense stayed hot in game two of the doubleheader. LIU flew out to a 9-0 lead across the first three innings behind multiple home runs. FDU was able to plate a run in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Zoe Milonopoulos, but the Knights were unable to keep pace with the Sharks' bats. LIU emerged victorious by a score of 11-1 after just five innings.
FDU will return on Tuesday afternoon, when they host Manhattan in a mid-week non-conference matchup. First pitch in Hackensack will be at 3 p.m, with coverage on NEC Front Row.
