LORETTO, Pa. — The LIU softball team traveled to Saint Francis U on Friday afternoon to take on the Red Flash in a battle for first place in the NEC. 

In game one, the bats were quiet for the Sharks as their lone run was scored in the seventh on a Gabby Paddila double to cut the Saint Francis U lead to 4-1, which would end up being the final score. 

In game two, the Red Flash jumped on the LIU pitching early, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first and would add four more in the third and fourth innings. The Sharks would fight back, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh but could not drive in the tying run as they fell 6-4.

Emma Niece hit her first home run of the season in game two and recorded three hits on the day. 

Gabby Padilla had a team-high three RBI in the doubleheader.

The Sharks return to the field Saturday morning at 10:30 to wrap up the series.