HEMSTEAD, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn softball team rallied in the fifth inning to close Hofstra's lead to just one run Wednesday afternoon, but the Blackbirds couldn't quite catch the Pride, falling in a midweek matchup, 4-3. Three different LIU athletes had RBI in the loss, as the Blackbirds move to 15-12 on the season.
 
Hofstra would jump out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring three runs on five hits. LIU got on the board in the top of the next inning. Freshman Camryn Lyman led off with a single to second base, and senior Schae Dickson brought her home in the next at bat, with a double down the right field line to make it 3-1.
 
The Pride tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fourth, on a triple and an error, but in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Blackbirds started to make a comeback. With one out, both Lyman and Dickson were walked. Sophomore Alina Castillo had a single through the right side to load the bases, and LIU's next two batters capitalized on the opportunity. Freshman Alyssa Martinez had a single to the short stop that would bring Lyman home, and sophomore Victoria Lowe had an RBI groundout that would score Dickson and cut the lead to 4-3.
 
LIU freshman Elena Valenzuela would hold Hofstra scoreless for the final 2.2 innings, giving up just two hits, and giving her teammates a chance to get back in the game. The Blackbirds would get two runners on in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, but neither would get in scoring position, and the Pride pitchers retired the Blackbirds to clinch the win for the home team, 4-3.
 
Up next, LIU opens up at home, hosting local foe Columbia, Wednesday, March 27 at 3:30 p.m. on LIU Field.