BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- The final stretch of the LIU Brooklyn softball regular season is slated for this weekend as the Blackbirds host Northeast Conference (NEC) rivals Central Connecticut State on Saturday, April 29 and Bryant on Sunday, April 30. LIU and CCSU will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. while the Bryant contests will begin at 3:30 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
In its last road conference doubleheader of the season, LIU earned a split against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday afternoon. The Blackbirds lost a close contest to the Knights in the first game (4-3) before exploding for their second-most runs of the year in a 19-3 victory in the second game.
In the victory, freshman
Angie Rizzi had a spectacular performance, setting a team season-high with a perfect 5-for-5 showing while scoring four runs and stealing a pair of bases. Eight of the ten Blackbird hitters to make at least one at-bat recorded a hit, with seven players logging two or more. Sophomore
Schae Dickson went 2-for-3 with a team-high five RBI, three runs scored and her sixth home run of the season. Bond also homered for the Blackbirds, sending her third homer of the year out in the second inning. Sophomore
Evie Claussell matched Rizzi's run scoring total with four of her own and junior
Angie Vazquez drove in the second-most runs on the team with four RBI during her 2-for-4 game.
BATTLE FOR NEC PLAYOFFS
LIU enters the weekend tied for seventh place in the NEC with CCSU with a 4-8 conference record. Only one spot in the four-team NEC Softball Tournament has been clinched so far - by undefeated league leader Saint Francis (PA) so a strong showing against CCSU and a Bryant team tied for fifth could should keep the Blackbirds in the running.
SENIOR DAY
Prior to the Bryant doubleheader, LIU will honor its five seniors for their contributions to the LIU Softball program. Karlie Brady, Kayla Gloady, Alyssa Lanktree-Dotson, Kylie Mulholland, and Shelley Procter will be recognized pregame.
LEADERS OF THE NEST
Junior Victoria Zamora continues to pace the Blackbirds in several categories - batting average (.384), on base percentage (.480), runs scored (38), hits (56), sacrifice flies, and total bases (78) - while sitting in the top three in slugging (.534, second), RBI (30, third), doubles (10, T-third), home runs (4, T-third), and stolen bases (6, second). Rizzi is second in batting average (.360), and runs scored (35) while leading the team in triples (2), walks (17), sacrifice bunts (5, tied) and stolen bases (15). Other notable team leaders include sophomore Samantha Offenback (.600 slugging percentage, 7 home runs) and junior Angie Vazquez (34 RBI).
THE OPPONENTS
Central Connecticut State
Record: 10-23 (4-8 NEC); facing Boston University on April 27
Streaks: Lost 3
Leaders: Brittany McNulla (.308 BA, 32 hits, 23 RBI), Alexis Debrosse (.275 BA, 5 HR, 22 runs scored)
Bryant
Record: 10-33 (5-7 NEC); facing Mount St. Mary's on April 29
Streaks: Lost 4
Leaders: Taylor Burger (.255 BA, 25 hits), Kaleigh Goulart (.234 BA, 13 RBI, 3 HR)