BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 15, 2015) - Junior designated player Paige Swantek (Smithtown, N.Y.) lifted a third-inning two-run homer that proved to be the crucial difference in a 3-1 victory for the LIU Post softball team over St. Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday.

LIU Post (21-7, 17-1 ECC) held a 1-0 edge going into the third frame thanks to a combination of small ball and a fielding miscue just one inning earlier. Consecutive singles by junior Maria Palmeri (Middle Village, N.Y.) and sophomore Melissa Peet (Monroe, Conn.) gave the green and gold a runner in scoring position with just one out in the second inning. Sophomore Kayla McCoy (Smithtown, N.Y.) then hit a sharp ground ball that kicked off the leg of Spartans infielder Brittany Malloy (Cornwall, N.Y.) and into center field, allowing Palmeri to score the game's first run.

In the third, senior catcher Aly Dzierzynski (Deer Park, N.Y.) nearly slugged her 50th career home run off of STAC (11-21, 5-14 ECC) pitcher Julie Sosnicki (Lyndhurst, N.J.). Dzierzynski took a 2-1 pitch to deep right field, but the ball hit the top of the fence. One pitch later, Swantek crushed a no-doubter over the left field bleachers to give the Pioneers a 3-0 edge. The longball was the team-leading sixth home run for the junior.

It turns out that was all the offense that junior hurler Isabella Corrao (Farmingale, N.Y.) needed to pick up her fifth victory of the season. Corrao pitched a complete game four-hitter, surrendering one unearned run and striking out five batters over her seven innings of work. The visitors tacked on that run in the sixth inning, off of a throwing error by the pitcher. In the seventh, two Spartans reached base on a single and a fielder's choice with a fielding error, but Corrao slammed the door shut by retiring the next three batters in order. In doing so, the junior lowered her earned-run average to a team-best 1.48.

Head Coach Jamie Apicella and the Pioneers return to action on Thursday (Apr. 16), when they host Pace in a doubleheader at the LIU Post Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.