BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Long Island University softball team continued its unbeaten start to NEC play with a doubleheader sweep of Stonehill College on Saturday, defeating the Skyhawks by scores of 7-3 and 17-1. 

Junior Jen Rodriguez opened scoring with an RBI single to right field, putting LIU up 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. While Stonehill tied and took the the lead with three runs across the third and fourth innings, three Shark runs in the bottom of the fifth inning put LIU ahead 4-3. Rodriguez, senior Gigi Clavel, and sophomore Samantha Gallegos all drove in runs to put LIU back on top. 

With LIU in control of the lead, senior Devon Medina, senior Nyae' Villalta, and Clavel all drove in runs with RBI doubles to extend LIU's lead to its eventual 7-3 win in Saturday's opening game. 

Villalta led LIU with three hits, while Clavel and Rodriguez tied for a team-high two RBI. In the circle, sophomore Ava Fairbanks earned her second win of the season by striking out seven of her 11 batters faced, surrendering just two hits in three innings. 

In Saturday's nightcap, Stonehill took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a solo homer to left center field; however, the lead was short-lived, as the Sharks scratched across 14 runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a commanding lead, later winning the game 17-1.  

Medina began the scoring surge with a sacrifice fly to tie the game, while Villalta gave LIU the lead with an RBI single to right field. LIU's scoring onslaught was highlighted by homers by junior Jaedyn Lincoln, a three-run homer run, and junior Kaylee Clarkson, a two-run homer. 

Clarkson and Lily Hinkle led LIU with three hits apiece, while Clarkson's four RBI led the Sharks. Lincoln (3), Medina (2), freshman Ashley Diaz (2), and Gallegos (2) all finished the game with multiple RBI. Clavel earned the win, pitching 2.2 innings with only one hit surrendered.  

LIU returns to the diamond on Sunday, March 21, at 12 p.m. to close out its series against Stonehill.