ERIE, PA. – FDU softball picked up a series win over Mercyhurst this weekend, taking two out of three against the NEC foe.
The Knights sent their ace
Jamie Sencion out to the circle to begin the weekend set. The sophomore starter was excellent, going the distance while striking out seven Lakers. On the offensive end,
Ayden Stone helped set the tone early for FDU. The senior started the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning. After
Amanda Jupinka and
Madison Rishel drove in runs, FDU found themselves with a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Stone came up to the plate again, and launched a three-run homer to break the game open, giving the Knights a 6-0 lead. Despite a late rally against Sencion, FDU would hold on to the lead, taking game one by a final score of 7-3.
The Mercyhurst bats woke up in game two of Saturday's doubleheader, pouring in an offensive barrage against the Knights. After jumping out to a 3-1 lead, the Lakers scored nine runs off FDU in the third inning, blowing the game wide open. Mercyhurst added four more runs in the fourth to make it a 16-2 game. The Knights were unable to cut into the lead to extend the game, resulting in a five-inning loss.
FDU looked for revenge on Sunday as they also sought to capture their first series win of NEC play.
Ayden Stone stayed hot to start things off for FDU. The senior launched her second home run of the series and fourth of the year to give FDU an early 2-0 lead.
Zoe Valdez,
Kailee O'Sullivan, and
Sophia Ayala all hit RBI singles to add to the lead, and the Knights found themselves up 6-0 in the third. Mercyhurst punched back in the bottom half of the third, scoring four runs off FDU starter
Jamie Sencion to make things 6-4. Stone got the Knights a run back on a sac fly, giving FDU a 7-4 lead. In the bottom half of the fifth, Mercyhurst chased Sencion from the game after an RBI single. The Lakers then loaded up the bases against reliever
Sierra Albright with one out, threatening to turn the game on its head. The Knights defense clamped down, securing two outs to allow Albright to escape the jam. In the following sixth inning, the Knights unloaded on offense, scoring eight runs to pull ahead 15-5. Albright would shut down Mercyhurst in the bottom half of the sixth, giving FDU a win in six innings.
FDU returns to New Jersey, as they face in-state rival Seton Hall on Wednesday afternoon. The Knights and Pirates will face off in a doubleheader in South Orange beginning at 2 p.m.
