Nine-Run Second Inning Helps Softball Split Doubleheader With St. Francis (NY)

(Game 1 boxscore) / (Game 2 boxscore)

4/5/05 -- Sophomores Holly Erwin (Riverside, Calif.) and Jessie DePippo (Westlake Village, Calif.) each collected four hits in the doubleheader and freshman Celina Castillo (Redwood City, Calif.) belted a two-run homer during a nine-run second inning as Long Island notched a 13-1 Northeast Conference victory in game two at St. Francis (NY) following a 4-1 loss in the opener.

The Blackbirds (6-21, 3-1 NEC) in game two opened a 10-1 lead thanks to their second-inning barrage. Freshman Brittany Murphy (Los Alamitos, Calif.) had two RBI in the inning with Erwin, DePippo, senior Briana Mathiesen (Sylmar, Calif.) and sophomore Randi Gillespie (San Jose, Calif.) -- the reigning NEC Player of the Week -- adding one apiece. Castillo’s two RBI came via her first collegiate home run and third extra-base hit of the season.

It was the third time in as many games LIU scored at least eight runs in an inning. The squad plated eight in the second and third innings of Sunday’s 18-3 victory over St. Francis (PA).

Westminster, Calif. senior Jackie Brown (3-10) was spectacular in the circle, facing just five batters above the minimum. She permitted one run and four hits over five innings with a walk.

DePippo closed 4-for-4 for her first career four-hit game with Erwin and sophomore Vanessa Mejia (Roanoke, Va.) adding three for the Blackbirds, who amassed a season-best 20 hits.

Serena Varvas gave up eight runs and 12 hits over 3 2/3 innings for the Terriers (1-18, 1-3).

LIU in game one grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Erwin drew a bases-loaded walk. St. Francis (NY) answered in the bottom of the second on Juliana Endo’s RBI single to center.

The Terriers grabbed the lead for good during a three-run fifth. Amanda Pileggi rapped a two-run double to left field and Janine Valentin followed with an RBI double to center.

The Blackbirds brought the tying run to the plate with one out in the seventh, but Murphy popped to second base and Gillespie lined to shortstop.

Reno, Nev. senior Chelsea Crosby (2-11) surrendered two runs and four hits over four innings with two strikeouts for the Blackbirds. Freshman Alyssa Winslow (San Jacinto, Calif.) yielded two runs and three hits over two innings.

Sarah Purtle (1-7) gave up one run and four hits over seven innings for St. Francis (NY) with Pileggi and Endo collecting two hits apiece.

LIU visits Seton Hall on Thursday for a doubleheader in South Orange, N.J. Game time is 3:30 pm.