BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- This weekend, the LIU Brooklyn softball team will head to Pennsylvania for its first Northeast Conference (NEC) road doubleheaders of the season. The Blackbirds are slated to take on Robert Morris on Sunday, April 9 and Saint Francis (PA) on Monday, April 10, with both game days scheduled for Noon first pitches.
LAST TIME OUT
LIU was defeated by Stony Brook, 9-1, in a non-conference tilt on Wednesday afternoon at LIU Field. Prior to the game against the Seawolves, the Blackbirds split its NEC opening doubleheader against Mount St. Mary's on Sunday afternoon, winning game two, 3-2.
PREVIOUS MATCHUPS
LIU's last games against both teams came during the Blackbirds' run to the 2016 NEC Tournament championship. LIU sent Saint Francis to the consolation bracket with a 5-4 victory on May 13 before facing Robert Morris for the league title on May 14. The Colonials won Game 6 of the tournament, 3-1, to force a second, winner take all Game 7. The Blackbirds bounced back, earning the title with a 3-2 victory.
LEADING THE NEST
Freshman Angie Rizzi leads seven Blackbirds currently batting .300 or better on the season, hitting .377 with a team-best 43 hits and ten stolen bases. As a group, the team leads the conference with an overall .301 average.
LIU's other leaders include sophomore Schae Dickson's 26 RBI and 13 extra base hits (8 doubles, 5 home runs), sophomore Samantha Offenback's six home runs and junior Victoria Zamora's 28 runs scored.
On the mound, junior
Erynn Sobieski's 9-6 record, 4.58 ERA, six complete games, 107 IP and 36 strikeouts all lead the team.
THE OPPONENTS
Robert Morris
Record: 11-22 (4-0 NEC)
Streak: Won 5 of last 6
Leaders: Jordan Gurganus (.405 BA, 49 hits, 9 SB), Olivia Lorusso (.323 BA, 29 RBI, 9 HR), Kaitlin Ellzy (4-3, 2.33 ERA, 29 K), Laura Coulter (3-11, 5.69 ERA, 78.2 IP, 43 K)
Saint Francis
Record: 27-9 (2-0 NEC)
Streak: Lost last game vs Pittsburgh after winning 15 straight
Leaders: Cheyenne McKee (.426, 45 runs scored, 13 SB, 49 hits), Jordan Seneca (.333, 48 RBI, 16 HR),