Championship Dates: Thursday, May 16-Friday, May 17
Location: South Athletic Fields | Manchester, N.H.| Directions
Game Links:  Watch Live | Live Stats
Twitter: @LIUPostPioneers | @LIUPSB
LIU Post Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats 
Saint Anselm Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats 

THE FIRST LOOK
 
It was an emotional East Regional 2 tournament for the LIU Post softball team who came from behind during its final two victories to advance to the East Super Regional for the second-consecutive season. In a winners' bracket contest against No. 6 seed Adelphi University, the Pioneers scored three runs with two outs during the seventh inning, including an eventual game-winning two-run home run by Julia Seader. During the championship series, the Pioneers again rallied during its final at-bat, taking down No. 7 seed University of New Haven on a walk-off grand slam by Hanna Finkelstein.
 
Saint Anselm swept the competition during the East Regional 1, allowing just one run over three games. The Hawks defeated No. 8 seed University of Bridgeport during the opening contest by a 3-1 final before downing No. 5 seed Southern New Hampshire University twice to earn the bid into the Super Regional.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES

This week will mark a rematch of the 2018 East Super Regional. The Hawks were victorious last season, sweeping the best-of-three series by 3-1 and 5-0 finals. Saint Anselm leads the all-time series, 4-2.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET

LIU Post did get its revenge in the season-opener when it took down the Hawks, 1-0 for its first ever victory against a No. 1-ranked team in program history. Saint Anselm bounced back to earn a split in Clermont, Fla. when they earned a 1-0 victory in game two at THE Spring Games.
 
Katie Humhej and Hannah Olshevski were both outstanding inside the circle during two pitching duels. Humhej struck out seven hitters while scattering six hits for the complete-game shutout, while Olshevski also went the distance, allowing one run on six hits with four strikeouts.
 
Finkelstein finished 2-for-6 (.333) at the plate as the only Pioneer to collect a pair of hits on the day. Allie Laird scored the only run for LIU Post, while Julia Seader plated Laird with an RBI single.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

The Cardiac Kids showed no let up during the NCAA East Regional 2 Tournament last weekend, coming from behind in their final at-bat against Adelphi University and the University of New Haven to keep their historic season alive. The Pioneers have been clutch all season, but shined even brighter late in games this past weekend.
 
On the year LIU Post is batting .322 during the sixth and seventh innings, led by an incredible .500 (18-for-36) effort by Seader. Seader has five late inning home runs this year and 13 RBIs, including the game-winning home run against Adelphi. Laird has also been outstanding late in games, hitting .444 (16-for-36) with five doubles and five RBIs. As a team, LIU Post is hitting .313 during the first three innings, but that average jumps to .336 during the final four innings as the lineup comes to the plate for the second and third time.
 
Seader and senior Ashley Melendez led the Pioneers this week with a .571 average, with Seader compiling an outstanding .727 on-base percentage. Senior Leah Mele added three hits and one double, while Laird and Finkelstein added two hits each.
 
During the NCAA Championship, the LIU Post pitching staff has allowed just one earned run per game and is holding opponents to a .259 batting average. Humhej and Olshevski nearly split the innings in half, tossing 10.1 and 10.2 innings, respectively. Olshevski finished 2-0 on the week with a 0.66 ERA, while Humhej compiled a 1.35 ERA and a 1-0 mark.

TICKET INFORMATION

Admission will be charged for all fans in attendance for the NCAA Division II Softball Championship. Tickets for adults will be $10 and students with valid ID, senior citizens, and children ages 5-12 will be admitted for $5. Fans that cannot make it to Manchester can follow along with live video available on NE10 Now online, mobile devices, and other streaming devices through the NE10 Now app free of charge. Fans can also follow along with live stats at www.liupostpioneers.com.