Softball Falls at NYIT; 5-1, 7-5

4/20/2016 10:00:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Apr. 20, 2016) - The LIU Post softball team lost both games of a doubleheader to East Coast Conference rival New York Institute of Technology on Wednesday, faliing by scores of 5-1 and 7-5 at the NYIT Softball Field.

Game #1: LIU Post 1, NYIT 5
The Pioneers led early in the opener, as senior designated player Paige Swantek (Smithtown, N.Y.) hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the first to stake the green and gold to a quick 1-0 advantage.

But, in the third, the Bears put up a three-spot to move in front. Senior first baseman Kat Zabielski (Farmingdale, N.Y.) drilled the first offering down the left-field line for a go-ahead three-run homer.

That proved to be all NYIT needed to take the opening contest. LIU Post, which later trailed 5-1 in the game, was retired in order in the final two frames to close it out.

In the circle, junior pitcher Ashley Martin (Long Beach, N.Y.) went 4.2 innings for the Pioneers, allowing six hits, five runs and two walks with four strikeouts.

Game #2: LIU Post 5, NYIT 7
Down 2-0 after an inning of play, the Pioneers (27-10-1, 16-4 ECC) battled back with three runs in the second and two in the third to take a 5-2 lead.

Freshman shortstop Leah Mele (Coram, N.Y.) laced a game-tying two-RBI single, while freshman catcher Julia Seader (Piscataway, N.J.) put LIU Post ahead with a second-inning RBI infield hit.

In the third, junior outfielder Melissa Peet (Monroe, Conn.) drove a two-RBI single up the middle, widening the green and gold's cushion to a three-run margin.

However, NYIT (29-11, 20-4 ECC) plated five runs over the final five frames to rally to the victory. A two-RBI double by Zabielski in the bottom of the sixth proved to be the game-winning hit.

Freshman pitcher Hannah Olshevski (Robbinsville, N.J.) was saddled with her first loss since Apr. 8 in the decision. She scattered 12 hits, seven runs and three walks and fanned two in six innings of work.

Head Coach Jamie Apicella and the Pioneers return to action Thursday (Apr. 21), when they travel to Bridgeport, Conn. for an ECC twinbill at University of Bridgeport at 3 p.m.