May 12, 2007
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Teaneck, NJ -- Top-seeded Long Island stifled second-seeded Wagner, 10-0 in six innings, to claim the 2007 Northeast Conference Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Teaneck, NJ. The Blackbirds earn the NEC's automatic NCAA bid with the win.
The Blackbirds got on the board in the top of the first with a pair of runs on a double by junior Celina Castillo (Bay Area, CA/Carlmont) to take a 2-0 lead.
LIU sophomore Jenny Giles (Melbourne, FL/Eau Gallie), the Tournament MVP, pitched her second shutout of the weekend, scattering four hits. Giles was in control much of the game, as Wagner's only serious scoring chance came in the fourth inning.
The Seahawks got consecutive singles from freshman Kate Eshelman (Reno, NV/McQueen) and junior Katie Stevens (Reno, NV/Wooster) to open the inning. After a pair of groundouts, senior Joy Gallagher (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton) drew a walk to load the bases, but Giles got out of the jam with an inning-ending groundout.
Two runs in the first inning gave Long Island the early advantage, as all-tournament team member Celina Castillo (Bay Area, CA/Carlmont) brought home the first run with a double to left center. Fellow all-tournament team member Vanessa Mejia (Roanoke, VA/Los Angeles Valley College) followed with an RBI single to put the Blackbirds up 2-0.
Senior hurler Morgan Miller (Las Vegas, NV/Silverado), who was also named to the all-tournament team, kept LIU scoreless for the next two innings before running into trouble in the fourth. A three-run home run by sophomore Renae Beauchman (Eagle Rock, CA/Belmont) put Long Island up 5-0, and NEC Player of the Year Randi Gillespie (San Jose, CA/West Valley CC) followed with a solo shot for her ninth home run of the year.
A run in the fifth and three more in the sixth gave Long Island the final margin of victory.
Miller joined Eshelman and sophomore Andrea Lazzari (Reno, NV/Wooster) on the all-tournament team along with Monmouth senior Heather Gordon (Hatboro, PA/Mount St. Joseph's), Monmouth sophomore Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, PA/Wilson) and Quinnipiac senior Maria Browne (Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge).
The Blackbirds will advance to the NCAA Tournament against an opponent to be announced on ESPNews on Sunday, May 13 between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.
R H E
#1 LIU 10 11 0
#2 Wagner 0 4 5
