LIU Post Opens NCAA Tournament with 3-1 Victory Against Le Moyne

LIU Post Opens NCAA Tournament with 3-1 Victory Against Le Moyne

Garden City, N.Y. – Junior Leah Mele finished 2-for-2 with a run batted in and the No. 4 seed LIU Post softball team knocked off No. 5 seed Le Moyne College, 3-1 at the Janet L. Ficke Softball Field on the campus of Adelphi University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament May 10.
 
Sophomore Katie Humhej was outstanding in the circle in the NCAA opener, going the distance while allowing just three hits and one run. The Canadian right-hander recorded nine fly ball outs and eight outs on the ground, striking out three along the way.
 
Le Moyne struck first in the top of the third inning when Taylor Artley doubled home Kaily LaForce to put the Dolphins ahead, 1-0. Humhej settled in, however, retiring the side in order in three of the final four innings.
 
The Pioneers got things rolling in the bottom of the fourth inning as Mele drew a walk to lead off the frame. Sophomore Allie Laird followed up with a bunt single two batters later. Dolphin third baseman Tess Andrews threw the ball away, however, and Laird came all the way around to score to give the Green and Gold a 2-1 lead midway through the contest. An inning later, freshman Patricia Dun reached on a one-out single to center field and moved up to second when the Dolphins attempted to throw out Dun at third base. Mele drove in Dun with an infield single to give the Pioneers their final run of the afternoon, helping LIU Post advance to the winners' bracket of the East Region Tournament.
 
No. 8 seed Caldwell University defeated No. 1 seed Adelphi 13-6 in the opening contest of the day. The Cougars racked up 14 hits in the win, including home runs by Carly Testa and Anyssia Ramirez. The Green and Gold will take on the Cougars at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow in the winners' matchup.

Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.