SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After a rocky showing in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, the Bryant University softball team exploded for 12 runs in Game 2 to pick up a midweek split at Fairleigh Dickinson in both team's Northeast Conference season opener.

Game 1

In Game 1 on the doubleheader, Fairleigh Dickinson jumped on the Bulldogs early, putting up five runs in the second inning to pick up the 7-2 victory behind seven solid innings from pitcher Megan Reiner.

The Knights got things going in the bottom of the second inning with three-straight singles to load the bases with just one out, setting up Julia Northcutt for an RBI single and Madelaine Wilen for a two-run double to right field to push Fairleigh Dickinson to an early 3-0 advantage. After a fielder's choice put runners on second and third, FDU capitalized on a Bryant miscue, plating two more to extend the lead to 5-0 after two full innings.

The Black and Gold responded in the top of the third when a Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.) double to right-center field set up Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.) for an RBI single through the left side of the infield to cut the deficit to four, 5-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, FDU went back to work adding to their edge with a Cindy Zamuidio two-run, two-out homerun down the left field line.

Bryant added another run in the top of the sixth inning on an Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) solo shot to lead off the inning, her eighth homerun of the year. The sophomore allowed just three earned runs (seven total) on 13 hits in six innings of work to go along with seven strikeouts.

"We may have come out in Game 1 with some hesitancy," said Bryant head coach Shayne Lotito. "Being our first conference game of the season, matched with the high expectations we have put on ourselves, our nerves were definitely visible."

Velasquez led the way as the only Bulldog with multiple hits, finishing Game 1 going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Game 2

In the second leg of the double dip, Bryant got its revenge on the heels of two solo blasts from senior shortstop Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) en route to the dominant 12-1 victory.

Four Bulldogs recorded multiple RBI and Madsen allowed just one run on four hits in five innings of work in the lopsided effort, granting Bryant its first NEC victory of the 2014 season.

The Black and Gold wasted little time with Mable sending her fourth homer of the season over the left field fence to put Bryant up, 1-0, after one. In each of the next two innings the Bulldogs added a run via solo shots, first from senior outfielder Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.) in the second and Mable again in the third, to extend the visitor's edge, 3-0.

The Knights responded in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to just two runs but nine Bulldogs scores in the top of the fifth inning, highlighted by a trio of RBI from Velasquez and an RBI double from Corder, propelled the Black and Gold to a hefty 12-1 advantage.

Madsen took care of the rest, retiring the Knights in order in the bottom of the fifth inning to pick up her team-leading ninth win of the season.

Mable's fourth and fifth homeruns of the year pushed her to 24 career blasts, tying the previous program record set by Amanda Wilbur during the 2007 season. 

"However, in Game 2 the girls answered back," added Lotito. "Led by Aubrey's [Mable] two homeruns, a breakout game from Lauren [Guy], and Elle's [Madsen] solid work on the mound we were able to take care of business.

"The lineup was solid from top to bottom in Game 2, and we need to continue to see production from all nine spots going forward if we want to have success."

The Black and Gold will head back to Rhode Island for their fifth game in three days when they visit Providence, R.I., for a showdown with Brown, Thursday at 4 p.m.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University softball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.