BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Apr. 30, 2017) - On Sunday, the LIU Post softball team completed the 2017 regular season with a split against University of Bridgeport in an East Coast Conference doubleheader at Seaside Park.

The split secured a berth for the Pioneers (24-24, 10-14 ECC) in next week's ECC Championship. The green and gold clinched the No. 4 seed and will face top-seeded Mercy College on Thursday (May 4) in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

Game #1: LIU Post 6, Bridgeport 0
In the opener, the Pioneers jumped out to a quick 2-0 advantage in the first inning, after back-to-back one-out RBI hits by junior first baseman Gianna Gatto (Hauppauge, N.Y.) and sophomore designated player Ashley Melendez (Levittown, N.Y.).

Then, in the third, sophomore catcher Julia Seader (Piscataway, N.J.) launched a lead-off solo homer to right to increase the green and gold's lead to 3-1.

The visitors weren't done there. The Pioneers tacked on three more runs in their half of the sixth to pull away from the Purple Knights.

Melendez lined an RBI single to right-center in the frame, while freshman outfielder Abbey Fortin (Langley, British Columbia, Canada) was hit with a pitch with the bases loaded to score a run.

Sophomore pitcher Hannah Olshevski (Robbinsville, N.J.) was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout with six strikeouts. She retired 14 of the last 15 batters to face her in the contest.

Game #2: LIU Post 1, Bridgeport 2 - F/12
In the nightcap, the Pioneers struck first again, plating the game's opening run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Melendez.

However, the Purple Knights (20-25, 8-16 ECC) got a solo homer from sophomore shortstop Kamryn Beach (Tampa, Fla.) in the sixth to tie things up.

The contest eventually went into extra innings, before Bridgeport won it in walk-off fashion in the 12th.

Following a lead-off single and subsequent sacrifice bunt to start the inning, senior third baseman Ashley Hessler (Pawtucket, R.I.) hit a game-winning RBI single to center to send the Purple Knights to the victory.

Olshevski was tagged with the loss in the decision, allowing one run and four hits in 4.1 innings of relief.

Meanwhile, freshman pitcher Katie Humhej (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada) received her second-straight no-decision. She tossed seven innings of six-hit, one-run, two-walk, four-strikeout ball.

Head Coach Jamie Apicella and his LIU Post squad will begin play at the ECC Championship on Thursday (May 4) against top-seeded Mercy College. For the official tournament bracket, please click here.