Softball Sweeps CCSU; V. Mejia Rips Nine RBI

(game 1boxscore) (game 2 boxscore)

4/24/05 -- Freshman Vanessa Mejia (Roanoke, Va.) drove in nine runs to lift LIU to 10-2 and 8-0 triumphs over Central Connecticut State in Northeast Conference softball action at LIU Field.

The Blue Devils (11-26, 7-7 NEC) scored two runs in the first to grab the early lead. Kristin Kropp opened with a single off starter Jackie Brown and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Melissa Pelletier. Kropp moved to third on an infield groundout by Deb Munson. After intentionally walking Pam Shifrin, senior Heather Mills laced a a single into left center to score two.

The Blackbirds (16-23, 10-2) came right back, plating three runs in the bottom of the first. With two outs and one on, sophomore Holly Erwin (Riverside, Calif.) laced a double down the left-field line to score Jessie DePippo (Westlake Village, Calif.). LIU added two more unearned to close the inning.

The Blackbirds plated two insurance runs in the third on a double from Vanessa Mejia and three runs in the fourth off a three-run home run from newcomer Randi Gillespie (San Jose, Calif.). LIU tacked on two runs in the fifth off a two-run shot from Krystal Mejia -- her sixth of the season -- to win by mercy rule.

Brown (7-10) grabbed her sixth straight victory, allowing two runs and three hits over five innings. Mejia and Gillespie each closed with three RBI.

Leading 1-0 in game two, the Blackbirds erupted for four runs in the third inning. With one out, DePippo singled to start the rally and advanced to second on an infield single from Erwin. Pitcher Erin Monroe walked Castillo to load the bases. The next batter, Vanessa Mejia, would do the most damage. Monroe took the freshman to a full count only to see her unload over the right-center fence.

Mejia put the game out of reach in the fifth, tearing a double into left field to score Castillo and Erwin. Leah Glenn followed with a bunt single. She and Mejia advanced an extra base on a throwing error by Pelletier, thus ending the game on the mercy rule.

Senior Chelsea Crosby pitched beautifully in game two, throwing perfect ball over the first 3 1/3 innings. She gave up two hits and struck out two over five frames, improving to 6-13 overall and 4-2 in league play.

DePippo and Mejia each went 2-for-3 in the second contest.

The Blackbirds entertain Quinnipiac on Monday, April 25 for a 3:00 doubleheader.