BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The LIU Brooklyn baseball team fell to Hofstra, 16-8 on Tuesday afternoon. Both teams combined for 27 hits in the non-conference matchup at LIU Field.

The Blackbirds registered 12 hits on the day, led by four multi-hit games. Senior Gregory Vaughn Jr. led LIU with a 3-for-4 afternoon at the dish. Seniors Joe Mercadante and Edward Modica Jr. along with junior Rob Griswold recorded two hits apiece. Senior Brock Hallum led LIU with two runs batted in. Hallum also picked up a pair of walks to 45 walks on the season, setting a new program single season record.

Offense came early for both clubs to start the contests as the Pride recorded four runs on three hits in the top half of the first. LIU answered in the bottom of the frame with three runs on two hits as Hallum recorded a two-run single up the middle and added third run on a double play to bring the score to 4-3.

Hofstra extended the lead to two in the top of the second inning on a one-out RBI double. The Pride added to their lead in the top of the fourth with four runs on three hits before a three-run fifth in

LIU recorded one run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a RBI groundout by senior Andrew Smith with the bases loaded.

The Pride grabbed another three run frame in the top of the seventh inning on two hits. The Blackbirds answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning as Mercadante and Modica recorded RBI singles and sophomore Colin Adams knocked in a sacrifice fly.

Hofstra capped its scoring in the top of the eighth inning on a two-out single up the middle. LIU closed out the games scoring in the bottom of the frame on a two-out RBI single by Vaughn to put the final score at 16-8.

Senior Jonathan Sell made his first appearance on the hill for LIU, suffering the decision. The Blackbirds threw eight arms in its lone midweek contest for the week. LIU's pitching staff recorded 17 strikeouts against the Pride, finishing one strikeout short of a season high.

Sophomore James Steindl fanned a game-high five strikeouts in three innings of relief. Senior Zach Pederson, redshirt-sophomore Frank Cerillo and Griswold pitched scoreless innings in relief, fanning two batters each.

UP NEXT

The Blackbirds head to Bryant for a weekend series beginning Friday, May 10 at 3:00 p.m. from Conaty Park.