BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- The LIU Brooklyn softball team will begin its Northeast Conference schedule this weekend when the Blackbirds host Mount St. Mary's in the first league doubleheader for both teams. First pitch for the twin bill between the Blackbirds and the Mountaineers is scheduled for Noon on Sunday, April 2.
LOOKING TO GO BACK-TO-BACK
LIU, the 2016 NEC regular season & tournament champions, will be working to add to their conference-leading championship totals in 2017. The Blackbirds have won 14 NEC Tournament championships and 11 NEC regular season crowns - both numbers representing the most in league history. Last year, LIU won its first regular season title since 2010 over Saint Francis with a 14-2 conference mark and held off Robert Morris in the seventh game of the NEC Tournament to earn its first league title since 2012.
STARTING OFF RIGHT
The Blackbirds have begun their NEC schedules very well over the past few years. LIU has won at least one game in its league-opening doubleheaders for three consecutive years.
LEADING THE WAY
Three Blackbirds are hitting at least .350 for LIU heading into this weekend - freshman Angie Rizzi (.396) and juniors Victoria Zamora (.360) and Gina Bond (.352). The trio are also the only three players to see action in all 33 games and the team's top three in hits and runs:
- Rizzi: 42 hits, 1st / 26 runs, 2nd
- Zamora: 36 hits, 2nd / 27 runs, 1st
- Bond: 32 hits, 3rd / 22 runs, 3rd
Sophomore Schae Dickson leads the team in extra base hits (11: seven doubles, four home runs), followed by fellow sophomore Samantha Offenback (10: four double, team-leading six home runs) and Bond (team-best eight doubles, two home runs). Rizzi has recorded two of LIU's three triples and leads the team in stolen bases (eight on nine attempts).
On the mound, junior Erynn Sobieski paces the team with an 8-6 record, a 4.87 ERA, two shutouts and 92.0 IP. Sobieski and sophomore Tallie Woodson share the team lead in strikeouts with 29.
ABOUT MOUNT ST. MARY'S
The Mountaineers head into this weekend's matchup with an 8-18 overall record, winning their last two games against Coppin State and going 3-3 in their last six contests. Freshman Kaylee Stoner is hitting a team-best .385 while sophomore Lindsay Heinze (30 hits), senior Rachel Heinze (29 hits) and sophomore Morgan Alisauckas (25 hits) lead the team in hits and RBIs (all three tied with 18). Senior pitcher Sam Lichtner is the ace of the squad, posting a 5-5 record with a 3.97 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and seven complete games.
PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS
Sunday's games will take place on Softball's Alumni Day and with a team fundraising effort in place. Program alumni are encouraged to visit the LIU Brooklyn Softball Facebook Page for details on the weekend's plans.
The Blackbirds will also be selling items and concessions at Sunday's game in preparation for the team's inaugural Breast Cancer Awareness Game on Wednesday, April 5 against Stony Brook.
NEXT UP
The Breast Cancer game vs Stony Brook is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.