BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The LIU Post softball team came up short in its bid to defend its East Coast Conference title, falling to No. 3 seed University of Bridgeport by a 3-0 final on Saturday, May 4.
 
The Pioneers were held to just four hits and were unable to score any runs against the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Amanda Staheli who tossed two shutouts against top-ranked LIU Post.
 
Junior Allie Laird and sophomore Hanna Finkelstein recorded two hits apiece for the Pioneers who stranded four runners on base on the day. Bridgeport compiled just six hits of their own but used timely hitting to earn the victory for its first ECC title.
 
During the top of the first inning, the Purple Knights drew a two-out walk and Jenna DiLorenzo belted a home run to center field to give Bridgeport a 2-0 lead early. During the top of the third, Bridgeport tallied another two-out run as Camryn Beach singled through the left side for what proved to be the game's final run.
 
LIU Post threatened during the bottom of the seventh, putting two runners on base with nobody out before the Purple Knights induced a double-play to take away momentum as Bridgeport earned a berth into the NCAA Division II Championship.
 
The Pioneers will find out their destination for the Division II East Regional on Monday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. during the NCAA selection show.