ORLANDO, Fla. – The Long Island University softball team dropped two games Saturday at the UCF Invitational, falling to Ball State, 5-0, and to Longwood, 4-1.
 
LIU vs. Ball State
Ball State would get on the board in the top of the third, using four hits to score one run, and take the early lead. And the Cardinals would put the game out of reach in the top of the fifth, with a grand slam that put Ball State up, 5-0.

The Sharks would threaten, but stranded two runners in scoring position, and Ball State took the win, 5-0.

Sophomore Elena Valenzuela (2-7) had the loss on the mound for LIU. Sophomore Zoe Estoppey came in in relief for the Sharks, pitching two shutout innings. The righty held Ball State hitless, while walking just one.
 
LIU vs. Longwood
The second game of the day was closer, but not close enough. Longwood would get on the board in the bottom of the first, scoring on an error. The Lancers added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on three straight hits, to go up, 3-0.

LIU got on the board for the first time in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman Maya Avila led off with a single, and sophomore Kelsey Day followed that up with a single of her own. Freshman Alexis Toledo advanced both runners with a sac bunt, and a run would score two plays later, on a Longwood error that made it 3-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Lancers added one more run on two hits and an error to make it 4-1.

The top of the seventh saw Avila lead off with a single to get on base, but the Longwood pitcher retired the next three batters, clinching the 4-1 win over LIU.  

Senior Tallie Woodson (2-4) had the loss on the mound, pitching the complete game. The Sharks cap the UCF Invitational Sunday, March 1, with an 8:30 a.m. game against Drexel.