Weehawkin, NJ (April 20) – The FDU-Florham softball team won a pair of thrillers at Stevens Institute of Technology this evening in an important MAC Freedom doubleheader. The Devils held off a late rally by the Ducks to win the opener, 15-12, before FDU scored five runs in the top of the seventh and got out of a jam for a 5-4 win in the nightcap.
 
After today's sweep, FDU is 10-10 overall and 6-4 in MAC Freedom play, while Stevens dropped to 9-13 overall and 5-3 in conference contests.
 
Game One: FDU 15, Stevens 12
 
Rachel Reiter (Riverside, Calif.) launched her first career homer in the top of the first inning for an early 1-0 edge. The Ducks answered with one in the bottom of the first before the Devils exploded for six in the second. FDU loaded the bases and took advantage of a two run error for a 3-1 lead and then Reiter cleared the bases with a three run double for a 6-1 advantage. A single through the infield by Kacie Centineo (Waldwick, NJ) made the score 7-1 through 1.5 innings.
 
The Devils increased their lead to 10-1 in the top of the fourth, but Stevens came racing back with an eight spot in the bottom half to cut its deficit to just one at 10-9. FDU, however, answered once again with five more in the top of the fifth on an error, a three run triple by Colleen Conway (Amityville, NY) and a groundout.
 
FDU starter Ciara Hoffman (Freehold, NJ) worked out of a jam in the fifth and sixth innings and allowed just three runs down the stretch to help the Devils secure game one by a 15-12 final. Hoffman, who struck out six in the opener improved to 7-6.

Reiter went 2-for-4 with three runs and four RBI in game one, while Centineo went 2-for-5 with three RBI, Conway went 1-for-5 with three RBI and two runs and Kristina Pelano (Howell, NJ) went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
 
Game Two: FDU 5, Stevens 4

The Ducks pitchers held FDU scoreless through six innings and held a 3-0 advantage heading into the seventh. An RBI single by Bianca DiSanto (Colonia, NJ) pushed FDU's first run across, a sacrifice bunt by Kristen Tigar (Hazlet, NJ) plated Dana Giardina (New Fairfield, Conn.) and an RBI double by Reiter knotted the game up at 3-3.
 
Centineo's RBI single gave FDU a 4-3 edge and Conway gave the Devils an insurance run on a single down the left field line to cap the scoring in the seventh.
 
Hoffman came in for the save in the bottom half, but allowed first three batters to reach base. The Ducks scored one on a fielder's choice to make the score 5-4, but Hoffman struck out the final two batters of the game to secure the two game sweep.
 
Hoffman's save marked the second of the season for the senior pitcher.

FDU will travel to Arcadia on Saturday, April 23 for a MAC Freedom doubleheader at 1:00 pm.

For the latest on FDU-Florham Athletics, follow the Devils via social media (@FDUDevils) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.