BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The LIU Brooklyn softball team spotted local rival Hofstra three runs in the first three innings at home, before exploding for six runs in the fourth frame to topple the Pride, 6-3, at LIU Field on Thursday. The win snaps an eight-game losing streak to Hofstra, and comes a day after an 8-0 win over Columbia in the Blackbirds' home debut, to start out 2-0 at home. The Blackbirds (17-12) will begin Northeast Conference play next, when they travel to Fairleigh Dickinson for a doubleheader this Sunday,

Hofstra (14-13) shortstop Kristin Hallam led off the game with an infield single and came around to score two batters later on a hit by Courtney Scarpato, for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the third inning, Hallum again led off with a single and scored on a home run to left field by clean up hitter Meghan Giordano for a 3-0 lead.

Then in the home fourth, sophomore Alina Castillo started it off with a walk, before freshman Samantha Garcia hit a blast over the left field wall for her first homer at LIU field, her team-leading fourth of the season, to put the Blackbirds behind by a run, 3-2.

But the Blackbirds weren't done, sophomore Ryleigh Bermea who was up next, earned another walk, and a single by freshman Alyssa Martinez moved Bermea up to scoring position. Following a walk by freshman shortstop Angelina Reno, the Pride made a pitching change, as starter Mackenzie Suto (5-6) was replaced by Madison Burns. Burns got LIU leadoff hitter Patricia Griffin to ground out with the bases loaded, but Bermea scored to tie the game at 3-3. The rally continued with a long single to right center by senior Schae Dickson to score a pair, including the winning run. An infield single by Castillo, who led off the inning, scored pinch runner Kelsey Day from third to cap the scoring at 6-3.

LIU junior starter Victoria Lowe (4-6) went the first 4.2 innings, yielding three runs and striking out four batters to earn her fourth victory of the season, before freshman Elena Valenzuela came in for the final 2.1 innings. Valenzuela, who went a complete game on Wednesday, gave up only two hits and struck out one, to earn her second save of the season. Valenzuela has not yielded a run in her last three outings, a span of 12 innings overall.

NEC UP NEXT
The Blackbirds will begin Northeast Conference action on Sunday in Teaneck, N.J., with a doubleheader at FDU, beginning at 12:00 p.m.