Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College softball team split a doubleheader with NEC foe LIU on Friday afternoon.
Game 1: LIU 9, Wagner 0
The opener started as a pitcher's duel, with both teams holding each other scoreless through five innings. However, the Sharks broke through in the top of the sixth with two runs, then erupted for seven more in the seventh to secure a 9-0 win.
Sophomore Karson Zavala started in the circle for the Seahawks, pitching all seven innings. She allowed seven hits, nine runs, eight walks, and struck out 12.
Game 2: Wagner 5, LIU 3
Wagner bounced back in game two, striking first in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Alayna Giampolo scored on a bases-loaded walk by freshman Emma Rocha to give the Seahawks a 1-0 lead.
LIU responded in the top of the third with two runs to go ahead 2-1, but Wagner answered right back in the bottom half. Sophomore Lea Rachal tied the game with an RBI single, scoring Brityn Buchanan. Rocha followed with a two-run single up the middle to bring home Rachal and Payton Janicki, reclaiming the lead at 4-2. Later in the inning, freshman Sam Estrada added an RBI single to make it 5-2.
The Sharks added one more run in the sixth, but Wagner held on for the win.
Junior Natalie Rodriguez started in the circle, pitching 5.1 innings while allowing seven hits, three runs, two walks, and striking out one. Zavala returned in relief to earn the save, throwing 1.2 innings with one walk and one strikeout.
Next up, the Seahawks will conclude game three on Saturday, April 19 on Senior Day.
