The Stony Brook softball team’s bats came to life on Wednesday, in an 8-7 victory on the road against LIU Brooklyn. Sophomore Shayla Giosia led the way with a home run and four RBI.
After scoring just five runs in three games last weekend, the Seawolves offense was much more productive at the plate on Wednesday. Stony Brook came up with multiple clutch hits, scoring seven of their runs with two outs.
The Seawolves got off to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, thanks to a two-out rally, which featured run scoring singles by Giosia and junior Nicole Hagerty. But, the Blackbirds responded quickly by scoring four runs on five hits in the bottom of the third, to take a 4-2 advantage.
In the top of the fourth, the Seawolves loaded the bases with two outs for junior Jessica Combs. She then hit a double to right-centerfield to knot the game up at 4-4.
After the Blackbirds took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth, it was Giosia coming up with another big hit for Stony Brook in the sixth. With two on and two-out, Giosia delivered her fourth home run of the season, to give the Seawolves a 7-5 lead.
After LIU Brooklyn scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game, Stony Brook turned to relief pitcher Jane Sallen. The freshman then gave her team three and two-thirds scoreless innings, and slowed down the Blackbirds’ offense for the first time all game.
In the top of the ninth senior Gina Bianculli came to the plate for the Seawolves with runners at the corners and one out. She then gave her team the lead on a sacrifice fly to center. Sallen would make the 8-7 lead stand in the bottom of the ninth, to give her team the road victory.
The Seawolves have now won seven of their past nine games, and improve their record to 13-15. They also scored at least eight runs for the third time this season.
Sophomore Bria Green led the team on the day with three hits. She and junior Jessica Combs each had two doubles in the game.
Starting pitcher Alison Cukrov had a rare off performance in the circle for Stony Brook. The Seawolves pitching had been dominant of late, giving up two runs or less in their previous nine games. Sallen picked up her third win of the season in relief.
The Seawolves hosted Fairfield for a 2pm home game today, which they won 2-1. They start a three game set with UMBC on Saturday.