MADISON, NJ (March 21, 2021)- FDU softball hosted Misericordia University on Sunday, as the away team, splitting the double header with a game one win, 3-2 and game two loss, 9-6. The Devils move to 2-4 overall, while the Cougars go to 5-1.
Game One
Junior Ciara Hoffman started in the circle for FDU.
After FDU loaded the bases in the top of the first without scoring a run, MIS capitalized in the bottom of the frame, scoring a run and taking a 1-0 lead. The Devils responded with two runs of their own in the top of the second inning, thanks to singles from senior Taylor Tobey and first-year Kacie Centineo and a two RBI triple from first-year Kristen Tigar. After two innings, FDU held a 2-1 advantage. Hoffman continued to deal and shut the Cougars offense down, allowing her team to increase their lead. In the top of the fourth, Centineo crushed a ball over the right field fence for her first collegiate homerun and a 3-1 Devils lead. After Hoffman stranded two Cougar runners in the bottom of the fourth and three in the bottom of the fifth, Misericordia broke thru with one in the bottom of the sixth, off of senior relief pitcher Abbey Scarengelli, cutting the Devils lead to 3-2.
That was all the scoring for the Cougars, as Scarengelli shut the door in the bottom of the seventh with the help of double play from first-year Heather Priante and senior first baseman Nicole Casale. Hoffman got the win for FDU, tossing 5.1 innings allowing five hits and one run. The Devils collected nine hits in the game led by two from Centineo, including the long ball and two from Tigar. Seven different Devils collected a hit in the contest.
Game Two
First-year Dolly Garguilo started in the circle for FDU.
After the Cougars jumped out to an early 4-0 lead headed into the top of the third inning, FDU's offense woke up. Started by Centineo and Tigar both knocking singles and followed by junior Colleen Conway with a base hit and RBI, scoring Centineo. Junior Morgan DeLoreto then stepped up, smacking a single to score Tigar and cut the score to 4-2. MIS responded, scoring a run in the bottom of the third and four runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull ahead 9-2.
The Devils continued to fight, scoring two runs in the sixth and two in the seventh. Senior Kaleigh Oplinger sac bunted in an RBI and senior Dani Sames scored on an error in the sixith and first-year Abigail Wittig and senior Francesca Shipe scored on an error and past ball in the seventh. Misericordia stopped the Devils rally after their sixth run to complete the 9-6 win.
Lead Devil
It was another great day at the dish for Centineo, finishing the day 4-for-8 with a homerun, three runs scored and an RBI. Tigar followed suite at the dish, also finishing the day with four hits adding two RBI's and a run scored.
Swinging the Sticks
For the second straight day, the FDU offense clobbered the ball, finishing the double header with 19 hits.
Next Up
FDU returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, March 27, when they travel to Lycoming College for a DH starting at 1 pm.