By Michael Otero
Sports Editor
In a double dip against the Southern Connecticut State Owls on Thursday, March 19, the softball team earned a split at the Softball Complex in Brookville, N.Y.
In the first game, the Pioneers grabbed the early lead when sophomore outfielder Mackenzie Buckley singled through the right side to score sophomore infielder Kayla McCoy. Later on in the third inning, the Pioneers doubled their lead when sophomore infielder Melissa Peet launched a solo shot over the right field fence, making it a 2-0 game.
The Owls answered back though in the fourth inning with a home run of their own to even up the game at two apiece. The score stood pat through regulation and eventually extra frames were needed to decide a winner. The Owls went on to secure a 4-2 victory thanks to another two- run home run in the top of the eighth inning. Sophomore pitcher Ashley Martin commanded the circle through eight innings for the Pioneers and struck out eight while allowing just one walk.
The second game was different for the Pioneers as their bats came alive and they pounded the Owls for 10 runs en route to a 10-0 victory. The Green and Gold manufactured four runs right off the bat in the first inning. In the third, Peet continued her spectacular day when she sent another ball over the wall to increase the lead to 5-0.
The back breaker for the Owls came in the sixth inning when the Pioneers tallied five more runs and the exclamation point was a three- run blast off the bat of junior infielder Maria Palmeri.
Perhaps even more impressive than the hitting in the second game was the pitching from Megan Salcido. The senior improved to 2-2 on the year and tossed six frames of no-hit ball. She struck out five batters and only allowed one base on balls.
Due to inclement weather conditions, the Pioneers’ doubleheader against the Bears from NYIT set for Saturday, March 21, was postponed and rescheduled. Head Coach Jamie Apicella and the Pioneers return to the field today against Mercy College. First pitch from the LIU Post Softball Complex is set for 2 p.m.
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