Casazza's Walk-Off Single Lifts LIU Post to ECC Title Game

Casazza's Walk-Off Single Lifts LIU Post to ECC Title Game

Brookville, N.Y. – Sophomore Ashley Casazza drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the LIU Post softball team took down Mercy College 3-2 to advance to the championship round of the East Coast Conference Championship May 4 at the LIU Post Softball Complex.
 
Sophomore Allie Laird led off the bottom of the ninth with a double that landed just over the glove of a diving Mackenzie Dunlop on the warning track in left field. Senior Gianna Gatto advanced Laird to third with a sacrifice bunt before Casazza's walk-off single gave the Pioneers the win.
 
LIU Post was in control for most of the contest, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first behind a two-run single by junior Leah Mele. The same score line remained into the seventh inning where the Mavericks put together a rally to plate two runs to level the scoring. Sophomore Katie Humhej carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, but the Mercy bats came to life late as the Mavericks finished with seven hits on the afternoon.
 
Gatto and Casazza finished with a team-best two hits apiece as number six through nine in the LIU Post lineup recorded six of the seven hits for the Pioneers. In the circle, Humhej earned her 17th win of the season, recording 17 ground ball outs on the day.
 
The Pioneers will wait the winner of game five of the ECC Championship to determine their opponent for the championship contest. LIU Post will have two chances if necessary to take home the title as they sit at 2-0 in the double-elimination tournament.

Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.