ERIE, Pa. – The Long Island University softball team (13-17, 7-2 NEC) exploded for an 11-run first-inning outburst and routed Mercyhurst University (2-19, 0-9 NEC), 18-3, on Sunday afternoon, completing a three-game weekend sweep of the Lakers. By improving their winning streak to six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the Northeast Conference, the Sharks pulled into a four-way tie atop the NEC standings with a 7-2 conference record.

"Our first three hitters set the tone today," said interim head coach Andy Russo. "The rest of the offense fed off that. Sarah Wall was solid in the circle."

Lily Hinkle opened the top of the first inning with a single to center field and Sharks never let up. Up next, Alyssa Garcia smashed a two-run home run, giving LIU a 2-0 edge. Dallas Andrews followed Garcia with a solo shot as the back-to-back homers opened a 3-0 lead.

Later in the inning, Hinkle added a bases-clearing triple stretching LIU's lead to 7-0. In total, the Sharks sent 16 batters to the plate in the first. The 11 runs were scored on nine hits and no errors.

Hinkle finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. She was one of five Sharks players to record a multi-hit effort as LIU scored its 18 runs on 15 hits.

Wall earned the win in the circle, pitching all five innings and allowing just three unearned runs on three hits. Mercyhurst starter Lauren Henrich, who was pulled after facing just three batters and allowing three runs without recording an out, suffered the loss.

The Sharks return to action this Saturday, April 5, at home versus Saint Francis University in the first game of a three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.