BRONX, N.Y. - Facing off against Fordham University in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday afternoon, the Long Island University softball team claimed a 7-2 win over the Rams, improving to 19-18 overall this spring. 

Sophomore Lily Hinkle opened scoring in the top of the first inning, scoring on a wild pitch to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead in the ballgame. After Fordham tied the game and later took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third, Hinkle answered with a two-run home run to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead in the game, a lead they would maintain through the remaining four innings. 

LIU extended its lead with graduate student Dallas Andrews scoring after sophomore Jen Rodriguez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and senior Alyssa Polemeni scoring on another bases-loaded walk in the top of the fifth inning. In the top of the sixth inning, Polemeni hit a two-run home run to push the game to its 7-2 final score. 

Hinkle, Andrews, sophomore Kaylee Clarkson and sophomore Jaedyn Lincoln tied for a team-high two hits in the win, while Hinkle and Polemeni paced the Sharks with two RBI apiece. Junior Gigi Clavel earned her sixth win of the season in the circle, pitching six innings on Wednesday. 

LIU hits the road again this weekend for a series against Wagner College, with the first game beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday.