BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The LIU Brooklyn softball team will open their season at LIU Field this week, hosting local foes Columbia and Hofstra at the Birdcage on Wednesday and Thursday, both at 3:30 p.m., respectively. The Blackbirds (15-12) made their East Coast debut last week at Hofstra, falling 4-3 to the Pride in Hempstead.
PRIDE TOPPLES BLACKBIRDS
In their last game, senior Schae Dickson had two runs batted in and freshman Camryn Lyman scored two runs, but Hofstra defeated LIU, 4-3 in Hempstead last Wednesday. Hofstra starter Mackenzie Suto (5-5) got the win and Madison Burns earned a 2.2 inning save for the Pride. Junior Tallie Woodson (1-1) took her first loss of the season, in her first start for the Blackbirds.
LIU STAT STUFFERS
Dickson currently leads the Blackbirds in batting average (.307), on base percentage (.371), slugging percentage (.420), runs scored (18), runs batted in (16) and total bases (37). She is tied with junior Patricia Griffin for team highs in doubles (4) and hits (27). Sophomore Alina Castillo leads in stolen bases with four, while freshman Samantha Garcia tops LIU in home runs with three on the season, nearing the halfway mark.
THE OPPONENTS
Columbia (10-10)
LIU record vs the Lions: 0-0. The NYC schools have never met; Columbia added softball in 2000. Former Blackbird great Cassie Vondrak serves as an assistant coach for the Lions.
Top Player: Max Ortega, So., IF, .492 batting, 17 runs scored, 16 runs batted in.
Top Pitcher: Madison Canby, Jr., RHP, 5-4 record, 3.41 ERA, 33 strikeouts
Hofstra (14-12)
LIU record vs the Pride: 9-23 all-time, 0-1 this season; last game: 3/20/19 (4-3 loss).
Top Player: Kristen Hallum, Jr., IF, .439 batting, 31 runs scored, 10 RBIs, 1.031 OPS.
Top Pitcher: Madison Burns, Fr., SP, 8-6 record, 2.92 ERA, 42 strikeouts
NEC ACTION UP NEXT
Following Thursday's matinee, the Blackbirds will open Northeast Conference league play on Sunday, with a doubleheader at Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck, N.J., beginning at 12:00 p.m.