Final Stats

MIAMI, FLA. - Beginning a week-long spring break trip, the Rutgers softball team was topped by Fordham and FIorida International at Felsberg Field on day one of the FAU Parents' Weekend Tournament. The Scarlet Knights (3-12) dropped an 8-4 decision to the Rams (16-4) before suffering an 8-0 loss to the Panthers (18-6).

GAME ONE - FORDHAM
Rutgers dropped its first contest of the day to Fordham by a score of 8-4.

Junior Rebecca Hall guided the Scarlet Knights with two doubles and three RBIs. Senior Carly Todd and freshman Nicole Bowman also contributed two hits each. Freshman Cambria Keefer suffered the loss for RU.

Fordham was led by Jessica Hughes with two hits, while Madison Shaw and Chelsea Skrepenak each added a home run in the win. Taylor Stocks picked up the victory in the circle for the Rams.

Following back-to-back hits for Todd and Bowman, Hall used a double to send Todd home for a 1-0 lead. Bowman would then score on a ground out to set the RU lead at 2-0 in the top of the first.

In the bottom of the second, Fordham added seven runs on six hits, guided by a three-run homer for Shaw, to move into the lead, 7-2.

Todd and Bowman remained hot at the plate in the top of the third, as the duo led off the frame with a single and a double, respectively. A sacrifice fly for Hall sent Todd home to cut into the deficit 7-3.

Although the RU offense hit a lull, relief pitcher Whitney Jones worked three scoreless frames, retiring nine of 10 batters faced at the plate to hold the margin at 7-3 after five innings of play.

Fordham's Skrepenak tacked on a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to extend the Rams' advantage to 8-3.

Rutgers countered with a two-out RBI double for Hall in the top of the seventh, but the Scarlet Knights were unable to keep the momentum rolling for a comeback.

GAME TWO - FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
RU fell to FIU by a score of 8-0 in its second contest of the day.

Sophomore Nicolette Anico and Todd recorded a hit each in the loss. Senior Shayla Sweeney suffered the loss for RU.

Kasandra Castle led the Panthers with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with a team-best four RBIs. Abby Summers picked up the complete game shutout for FIU.

The Panthers moved to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first, guided by a three-run home run for Castle and a two-run home run for Jessica Rivera. Senior Aubrie Levine would then enter the circle, retiring two of three batters faced and ending the frame with a strikeout.

As the Scarlet Knight bats remained quiet, the FIU added another run on a hit and an error in the bottom of the second to push its lead to 6-0.

Although Todd would break up the no-hitter in the top of the fourth, RU was unable to bring in a run. FIU responded with two more runs in the bottom of the frame for an 8-0 lead.

Anico added a one-out single in the top of the fifth. However, RU could not bring in the run to cut into the deficit as the game ended in five.

UP NEXT
Rutgers returns to action on Saturday against Ball State at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The games will be played at FAU Softball Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.

KNIGHT NOTES
-Rebecca Hall added her sixth multiple RBI contest of the season against Fordham, including her third with three or more RBIs.
-Nicole Bowman added the third multi-hit game of her career against the Rams.
-Nicolette Anico currently leads the team with a six game reached base streak.
-Taryn Atlee brought her team-leading hit streak to 12 straight games in the contest against the Rams.

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