Box Score Brooklyn, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College softball team (17-35, 8-14 NEC) traveled to compete against LIU (30-19, 15-7 NEC) for their last regular season series on Friday. LIU secured the win 3-1 over the dolphins.
 
"Two teams battled for seven strong today but unfortunately only one can come out victorious" said said head coach Tracey Roman. "We tied at five hits a piece, but they were able to string their hits together at the end. We threatened until the very last out and Arianna was clutch in her pinch-hitting opportunity, but we came up short today. I thought Laura pitched very well. She competes on every single pitch and the mental toughness she's possessed throughout her career is a true rarity.  600 strikeouts is quite a milestone and she'd have even more if the 2021 season wasn't limited to 26 games due to covid restrictions. She's a true competitor. As a team we are really looking forward to getting two more opportunities against LIU tomorrow."
 
The first two went without any hits, errors, or runners left on base until graduate catcher Brandi Feeney (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse/Saint Peter's) hit a single into left field landing her on first base. Sophomore outfielder Emilee Gallagher (New Windsor, N.Y. / Newburgh Free Academy) entered the game to pinch run for Feeney. Freshman second baseman Shannon Gavigan (Havertown, Pa. / Haverford) grounded out to third base as Gallagher would advance to second but would end up being left on base heading into the bottom of the inning.
 
In the bottom of the third, Kaylee Clarkson singled to left field for the Sharks. Dallas Andrews then reached on an error by first base and Clarkson advanced to third on the error. Andrews followed by stealing second but her and Clarkson would both be left on base following a strikeout made by graduate pitcher Laura Bennett (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) who recorded her 600^th career strikeout during today's game. Bennett's career total strikeouts are now at 603 with 594.6 innings pitched.
 
It wasn't until the top of the fifth where another hit was made. Freshman left-fielder Sydney Nesci (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) hit a double into left field getting on second base for the Dolphin's. Nesci then advanced to third off a ground out by her teammate but would be left on base.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Sharks added a run to the board off a homerun from Jazmine Cuffie into left field (1-0).
 
In the top of the sixth, junior shortstop Dominique Rinaldi (Sayville, NY/Sayville) added a hit as she doubled to left field. Redshirt junior third baseman Frankie Larobardiere (North Syracuse, N.Y. / Cicero-North Syracuse/ Onondaga C.C.) then drew a walk but her and Rinaldi would both be left on base heading into the bottom of the sixth.
 
The Sharks added another two runs in the top of the sixth starting off with a single from Andrews to shortstop and Gabby Padilla hitting a single to right field. Emma Niece then doubled to right field bringing home both Padilla and Andrews giving the Sharks a 3-0 lead over the Dolphin's.
 
At the top of the seventh, Feeney recorded a double into left field with freshman second baseman Gabriella Zarcone (Smithtown,, N.Y. / Smithtown East) then entering the game to pinch run for Feeney at second. Freshman pitcher Arianna Exarchakis (Monroe, N.Y. / Monore-Woodbury) pinch hit for Gavigan and sent home Zarcone off a double to right center.
 
The Sharks would come out victorious for today's game winning 3-1 over the Dolphin's.
 
The Dolphin's will play their final games tomorrow Saturday, May 4^th for a double header to end their series at LIU at 1pm and 3pm – LIU Softball Complex, Brooklyn, N.Y.