Newsday: LIU Post Moves Within One Win of D-II College World Series
May 16, 2014
By STEVEN MARCUS
Full StoryLIU Post softball is one victory away from the Division II College World Series after Friday's 7-4 victory over visiting Caldwell (New Jersey) in the best-of-three East Super Regionals. Post would advance to its fourth World Series with a win Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m. Caldwell would have to beat the Pioneers twice to advance.
As has been the case this season, Post used the long ball en route to its program-best 49th victory against eight losses. The team also has a single-season record of 83 home runs. First baseman
Kayla McCoy hit a grand slam in the second inning and Post was off to a 4-0 lead.
"I was just looking for a pitch over the plate and she put it there," McCoy said of Caldwell starter Amber Padilla, who came in with an 18-4 record and 1.85 earned run average.
Caldwell closed to within one run when Alyssa Calderon hit a three-run homer off
Liz Weber in the third inning. Post senior shortstop
Nicole Hagenah quickly answered in the bottom of the inning with her 14th homer of the season and 46th of her career, leaving her two shy of Christie Softy's single-season mark of 48. A strong wind persisted throughout the game but Post coach
Jamie Apicella said it had no effect on the homers.
"The way the kids have been hitting the ball I don't think it really factored in," he said. "Even [Calderon's] home run for Caldwell, I think they were sure shots out."
After Caldwell (44-8) scored a run in the fifth to draw within 5-4, Post scored twice in its next at-bat to take a three-run lead.
And now Post is on the verge of the World Series in Salem, Virginia. "It's very exciting, I went there my freshman year and it was a great experience," Hagenah said. "I think we have an even better team with the way we've been playing. I think we could definitely do it and go far."