NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — The Long Island University softball team (16-29, 15-3 NEC) defeated Central Connecticut State University 12-4 in the final game of this weekend's series against the Blue Devils, splitting Saturday's doubleheader. 

LIU scored nine runs across the second and third innings, led off by a two-run home run by sophomore Samantha Gallegos. Four at-bats later, junior Kaylee Clarkson extended LIU's lead with an RBI single. 

The Shark bats stayed potent in the top of the third inning, as junior Jen Rodriguez delivered an RBI single to put LIU ahead 4-0. Gallegos drove in another run two at-bats later, while freshman Anais Soto extended the lead to 6-0 with an RBI single. A three-run home run two-at bats later put the Sharks ahead 9-0. 

CCSU added a run in the bottom of the third inning, though LIU quickly responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, with RBI by senior Gigi Clavel and Soto. Junior Lily Hinkle added LIU's third home run of the day with a solo shot to right center field in the top of the fifth, as the Sharks later won the game 12-4 in five innings. 

Soto led the Sharks with three hits in three at-bats, while Clarkson drove in a team-high four runs. Hinkle, Rodriguez, Gallegos, and Clarkson joined Soto in posting multi-hit performances, each totaling two apiece.  

Sophomore Ava Fairbanks earned her seventh win in the circle this season, pitching all five innings with eight hits surrendered, four runs against, no earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. 

LIU returns to action on Wednesday, April 22, at 3 p.m. for a non-conference matchup against Fordham University.