SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The LIU softball team extended their Northeast Conference win streak to 11 straight games Sunday afternoon, as the Sharks swept Bryant on the road in two games. LIU run-ruled the Bulldogs twice, beating them 11-1 in five innings in the first game, and 11-2 in six innings in game two.
GAME ONE
- The Sharks capitalized on two Bryant errors in the first, and added on six hits to score six runs. Senior Kiana Cisneros had the first RBI with a single, and senior Ryleigh Bermea singled up the middle to score twice more. Katie Hinkle, Kristen Blanchard and Patricia Griffin all had RBI singles to close out the inning.
- Bermea added one more run to the total in the top of the second, bringing home Ciara Granado, who'd led off with a double, and the Sharks lead was 7-0.
- Senior Alina Castillo increased that lead to 9-0 when she had a two RBI single up the middle in the top of the third.
- In the top of the fourth, Bermea had a home run over the left field fence that would widen the gap to 11-0.
- Bryant would add a run in the bottom of the fourth, but it wasn't enough. The Sharks would end the game in five, with the 11-1 win.
- Senior Tallie Woodson improved to 9-1 on the mound with the win.
GAME TWO
- The Sharks got off to an early start again in the top of the first in game two. Castillo's single up the middle scored one, to make it 1-0.
- The Sharks added five more in the top of the second. After junior Angelina Reno led off being hit by a pitch, she was advanced on an error, and came home when Hinkle doubled to left center field. Griffin would add a run on an RBI single, and Castillo brought home two more with a double to left center field. And Cisneros made it 6-0 with an RBI single in the infield.
- Bryant would score two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Sharks would tack on three more runs in the top of the fifth. Reno would score from third on a wild pitch, and Bermea came home on an error. Sophomore Maya Avila pitch hit, and would add a run to the total with her RBI single.
- Bermea would add two more runs in the sixth, when she singled up the middle with two outs to give LIU the 11-2 lead.
- Senior Haley Irvis (4-0) got the win for LIU. Senior Victoria Lowe pitched 1.2 perfect innings of relief, giving up no hits with no runs and no walks.
Up next, the Sharks host league-leading Central Connecticut State for a four game series in Brookville, Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25.
