HACKENSACK, N.J. – After dropping game one 4-6 against the hosting Knights of FDU on Saturday, the LIU softball team fought back to split the series and win game two of the double header 4-2.
 
In the first contest of the day, the Knights got on the board quickly by putting up four runs in the first inning before adding two more in the third. They would then add two more in the third to take a 6-0 lead over the Sharks.
 
A rally in the top of the sixth saw the Sharks get four runs back. The first two came across the plate when Maya Avila singled to drive in two runs, and then when Angelina Reno homered to right field the Sharks got two more. That would be it though for game one, both teams holding defensively to finish game one 6-4 with the advantage going to the Knights.
 
Sophomore pitcher Alyssa O'Donnell is now 10-9 for the season with the loss in game one.
 
Game two saw the Sharks bite off a run first this time around. Ryleigh Bermea drove in the opening run of game two in the top of the second. FDU had a two-run home run in the third to regain the lead at 2-1, but that advantage didn't last long.
 
LIU got one back in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2 and then two more in the fifth to regain their lead and hold it at 4-2 for the rest of the game. The reigning NEC rookie of the week, Desiree Smith (4-4), pitched a complete game, striking out three batters as the Sharks went on to victory.
 
The rubber match of the series will take place on Sunday; first pitch is set for 12 p.m.