Rutgers Softball Drops Tight Affair Against LIU 4-2

Thursday, April 30

Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers

21-31

LIU Brooklyn

29-15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Long Island	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	4	10	1
RUTGERS	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	10	2

Rutgers Softball Drops Tight Affair Against LIU 4-2

Apr 30 | Softball

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J.  – The Rutgers softball team (21-31) had its 2009 home schedule come to an end on Thursday, April 30, against LIU. RU fell 4-2 to the Blackbirds at the RU Softball Complex.

LIU scored a run in the top of the first inning to pull ahead 1-0, however, the Scarlet Knights responded in the bottom of the frame with a run of their own to knot things at 1-1.

The Blackbirds recorded back-to-back singles to put a pair on the bags. A fly ball to right field in the next at-bat moved a runner to third, as Chelsea Martinson followed with an infield single to score the first run of the game.

RU scored its run on an RBI-single up the middle from senior Sarah Kalka (Moreno Valley, Calif.). Senior Amanda Shaw (Yorba Linda, Calif.) led off with a walk, while sophomore Jen Meinheit (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) singled down the left field line. Kalka then followed with a hit to drive in Shaw from second, tying the game at one.

LIU broke the tie with a run in each of the next two innings to take a 3-1 lead after the top of the third inning. The Blackbirds tacked on another run in the fifth to extend its advantage to 4-1.

The Scarlet Knights inched closer in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the deficit to two runs (4-2). Sophomore Danielle Procopio (Vineland, N.J.), who entered the game as a replacement in right field, reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced to second on a ground ball and scored on a ball hit to left field. Kalka drove the pitch into the outfield which was bobbled, allowing Procopio to tally the run and make it 4-2.

Junior pitcher Nicole Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) kept the Blackbirds off the score board in the sixth and seventh innings, keeping the Scarlet Knights within striking distance.

Rutgers loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh but was unable to plate the necessary runs as LIU held on for the two-run victory.

The Scarlet Knights will close out the regular season with a pair of BIG EAST contests, facing Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 2, followed by a matchup with Syracuse on Sunday, May 3.