Madison, NJ (March 26) – The FDU-Florham Softball team opened home play this season with a non-conference doubleheader against the Wilkes Colonels, in support of breast cancer awareness and struck out cancer along with the Colonels in both games by scores of 6-5 and 3-1.

 
Game 1:

With Wilkes having a runner on second and third base, their first run of the day and the first on the scoreboard was brought in on a wild pitch during the second inning.
 
The fourth inning showed an offensive outing for the Devils as five runs were scored to take the lead. The Devils' scoring run started off with Jada Lambright (Clifton Park, NY) singling through the right side for the RBI and the tie. Scoring the Devils' fifth run was Alissa Gallion (Roseland, NJ) as she singled to second base for the RBI waiting on third base.
 
After a few power plays from Wilkes, the Colonels found themselves within a run as they recorded three runs on three hits in the top of the fifth. The Devils extended their lead to two runs in the bottom of the fifth after Abigail Rodriguez (Woodbridge, NJ) singled up the middle for the RBI and a 6-4 score.
 
Wilkes gave it their final effort in the seventh inning but fell short by one run, allowing FDU-Florham to secure the 6-5 victory.
 
Inside the circle and pitching for 6.1 innings was Victoria Fantozzi (Hillsborough, NJ) (3-2) as she recorded one strikeout and faced 34 total batters. The loss was given to Colonels, Hope Mullins as she pitched through 3.1 innings and struck out two batters while facing a total of seventeen.
 
Game 2:
Once again, Wilkes was able to put up the first run of the game, this time in the third inning with a RBI single to right field.

Starting the offensive momentum in the fourth inning for the Devils was first-year Riley Signor (Media, PA) as she sent the ball flying over the right field fence for her first collegiate home run and the team's first of the season, 1-1.
 
Senior Heather Priante (Howell, NJ) doubled through the right side for the RBI and the lead run in the fifth inning. Lambright added another RBI single for good measure to bring the score up 3-1.
 
The game was called short after the completion of the fifth inning due to lack of daylight, resulting in the score at that time being in favor of the Devils for the 3-1 win.
 
Pitching in game two for the Devils was first-year Kelly Cornog (Newtown Square, PA) (6-5) as she struck out three batters while facing twenty-four batters. Wilkes saw Mia Butka in the circle for game two as she threw for two strikeouts and on twenty-four batters as well.


FDU-Florham will next host Lebanon Valley on Friday, March 29 for a MAC Freedom doubleheader in support of Morgan's Message Awareness. The Devils will throw out the first pitches at 2pm and 4pm.

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