BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – After falling short in game one, the LIU Post softball team recovered with an eight-run victory in game two in a two-game set with the University of Bridgeport April 18.
 
Senior Gianna Gatto had an outstanding day at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 at the plate with seven runs batted in between the two games. The Hauppauge native added a career-high five RBIs in game two to lead the Pioneers to a victory Sophomore Abbey Fortin tallied three hits and her East Coast Conference best ninth home run of the season, while sophomore Allie Laird and freshman Breanna Klaiber notched two hits apiece.
 
Game One – Bridgeport 6, LIU Post 4
 
Bridgeport broke through with a five-run third inning when Hope Lincoln delivered a grand slam to give the Purple Knights a 6-0 advantage through the first three frames. The Pioneers battled back though, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth behind an RBI-single by sophomore Megan Sneeden and a two-run single by Gatto.
 
The Green and Gold continued to rally in the seventh inning as Fortin lifted a solo home run to center field but it was all the Pioneers could push across as Bridgeport took game one for the second consecutive series, 6-4.
 
Game Two – LIU Post 11, Bridgeport 3 (5 Inn.)
 
The offense bounced back in game two, scoring 11 runs on 10 hits. The Pioneers had to battle from behind, however, as Bridgeport tallied two runs in the top of the first inning.
 
Gatto leveled the scoring in the second inning with a two-run single and later scored on a two-run double by junior Julia Seader to give LIU Post a 4-2 lead. Gatto added a two-run single in the third inning and capped off the career day with an RBI single in the fourth inning to put the Pioneers ahead 11-2.
 
Bridgeport plated one run in the bottom of the fifth but could not avoid the mercy-rule defeat as sophomore Katie Humhej earned her 11th win in the circle.
 
The Pioneers return to action tomorrow when they travel to Pace University at 3:00 p.m. for a non-conference matchup with the Setters.