BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Lynn University softball team christened its new home field Saturday afternoon, hosting Keiser in the program's home opener and the first official games played on the venue.
 
The Fighting Knights showed resilience throughout the doubleheader, mounting rallies in both contests, including a three-run comeback in Game 1 and a late push in Game 2, but timely Seahawk execution ultimately secured the sweep. Lynn's offense and aggressive baserunning provided sparks throughout the historic afternoon, setting the tone for the program's new home.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1):
- Keiser threatened immediately in the opening frame after a walk and a Lynn error put two runners aboard, but the Fighting Knights escaped as three straight outs stranded both runners and kept the game scoreless
- Lynn answered with traffic in the bottom of the first behind a Teagan Riley single, though a caught stealing and strikeouts ended the early chance
- Both pitching staffs settled into a rhythm over the next two innings, combining for six straight scoreless frames with routine defensive plays preserving the deadlock
- Keiser created another early opportunity in the fourth following a Lynn miscue and a walk, but Lynn again tightened defensively to strand two and maintain the 0-0 tie
- The Seahawks finally broke through in the fifth, capitalizing on a leadoff single, aggressive baserunning, and a passed ball before a two-run homer pushed Keiser in front 3-0
- Lynn immediately responded in the bottom half with chaos on the bases: singles from Savannah Ellis and Kyleigh Hope sparked the rally, while an error and multiple passed balls allowed the Fighting Knights to plate three runs and even the score
- Keiser regained momentum in the sixth as a pair of Lynn errors extended the inning, leading to two Seahawks runs despite Lynn cutting down a runner at the plate
- The Fighting Knights trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the sixth when Ellis delivered again, ripping an RBI double to left to score Onnalee Floriano and make it a one-run game
- Keiser added insurance in the seventh after a leadoff triple came around on a wild pitch, stretching the margin to 6-4
- Lynn was unable to generate a late rally in the final frame as Keiser closed the door to secure the Game 1 decision
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS (Game 1):
- Ellis paced the Lynn offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, and run scored, driving in the Knights' sixth-inning tally
- Hope added a 1-for-3 performance with a run scored and helped ignite Lynn's three-run fifth inning
- Floriano finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and reached base in the sixth to set up Ellis' RBI double
- Riley recorded a 1-for-3 day at the plate as Lynn totaled six hits
- Allie Morgan chipped in a 1-for-2 effort and reached base during the fifth-inning rally
- Isabella Rittle scored a run, drove in another, and stole two bases, using aggressive baserunning to fuel Lynn's comeback push
- In the circle, Gabriella Lindsey worked six innings, striking out three while battling through traffic to keep Lynn within striking distance
- Ariana Rego tossed a clean final inning in relief, striking out two
- Lynn recorded six hits, stole two bases, and plated three runs in the fifth inning to erase an early deficit

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HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2):
- Lynn turned quick defense into early momentum in the first inning, erasing a Keiser baserunner with a sharp double play before the Fighting Knights put two runners aboard in their half, though the threat went unfinished
- Keiser struck first in the second after an error extended the inning, allowing the Seahawks to cash in an RBI single and take a 1-0 lead
- The Fighting Knights answered with a leadoff single in the bottom of the second, but Keiser defense turned a double play to halt the rally
- Both sides traded scoreless third and fourth innings as pitching and clean defensive execution kept the contest tight
- Keiser created separation in the fifth, stringing together extra-base hits and a sacrifice fly to plate two runs and stretch the margin to 3-0
- Lynn was held quiet through the middle innings as Keiser pitching limited hard contact and forced routine outs
- The Fighting Knights mounted a late push in the seventh when Riley doubled to open the frame, and Kylee Dodson later delivered an RBI single to put Lynn on the board
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS (Game 2):
- Riley led the Lynn offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring the Fighting Knights' lone run in the seventh inning
- Dodson delivered Lynn's only RBI with a clutch pinch-hit single in the final frame to break up the shutout
- Floriano added a 1-for-3 performance and helped spark Lynn's early first-inning threat
- Hope chipped in a 1-for-2 day at the plate as Lynn totaled five hits
- Lynn turned a sharp double play defensively to erase early Keiser momentum
- In the circle, Ellis tossed a complete-game effort, working all seven innings while keeping Lynn within striking distance
- The Fighting Knights generated late pressure in the seventh with back-to-back hits before Keiser closed the door
 
UP NEXT:
The Lynn softball team returns home next weekend for a doubleheader against St. Thomas (Fla.) on Valentines' Day at 12 pm.