(Game
1 boxscore)
(Game 2 boxscore)
 4/10/06 --Long
Island University hit a season-high five home runs, including
three in a pivotal fifth inning that helped lead the softball
team to a doubleheader sweep of Wagner on Tuesday evening at
LIU Field. The Blackbirds edged the Seahawks in game one, 2-1,
and followed with a mercy-rule victory, 14-6, in six innings
in the second game.
With the second contest tied at 4-4 in the fifth inning, back-to-back
solo home runs by junior Randi Gillespie (San Jose, Calif.) and
sophomore Alyssa Winslow (San Jacinto, Calif.) gave LIU a two-run
advantage. Following a hit batter and two walks, freshman Britnee
Edwards (Mesa, Ariz.) stepped to the plate and belted her second
home run of the game, a grand slam, which broke the game open.
Sophomore Vanessa Mejia (Roanoke, Va.) led off the sixth with
a solo shot of her own, as LIU scored four runs in the frame
to enforce the mercy rule and end the game, 14-6.
Edwards finished with five RBI for the Blackbirds, while Gillespie
added a pair of doubles to go along with her home run and scored
twice. Winslow picked up her first victory in the circle this
season, allowing one earned run over three innings in relief.
The first game of the doubleheader was a pitcher’s duel
between Wagner’s Morgan Miller and LIU’s freshman
hurler Jenny Giles (Melbourne, Fla.).
The Seahawks opened the scoring in the first inning as Christina
Hopkins, who had reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced
to third on an error and passed ball, crossed home plate following
a single to left by catcher Victoria Batistelli.
Consecutive two-out doubles by sophomore Celina Castillo (Redwood
City, Calif.) and V. Mejia knotted the game at 1-1 in the bottom
of the third. V. Mejia finished the first game 3-for-4 with an
RBI to lead the Blackbirds attack.
LIU had a prime opportunity to break the tie in the fifth, as
it loaded the bases with two outs. Miller was able to get out
of the jam, as she struck out senior Krystal Mejia (Sylmar, Calif.)
to end the threat.
The contest remained at a stalemate until the bottom of the seventh
inning. Edwards led off the frame for the Blackbirds with a walk
and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Castillo. An infield
single by V. Mejia and a walk to Gillespie loaded the bases for
Winslow, who came through with a line drive base hit to left
that scored pinch runner Leah Glenn (Huntington Beach, Calif.)
for the game-winner.
Miller dropped to 11-6 on the season for the Seahawks, going
6 1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs. Giles improved to
12-13 on the season for LIU, striking out five while not allowing
a walk in the complete game victory.
The softball team continues its season with a doubleheader against
Seton Hall on Tuesday, April 11. The twinbill will commence at
4:30 p.m.
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