Garden City, N.Y. - A pair of clutch two-out RBI hits lifted the Adelphi University softball team to a 2-1 win in its first-round game of the NCAA Division II East 2 Regional against University of Bridgeport on Thursday afternoon. 

With the win, the Panthers (32-19) now advance into the winner's bracket after today's 2-1 nailbiter. 

It wasn't long before the hosts began to threaten, loading the bases in the initial inning. A two-out foulout from Alexa Sacripante put that run to rest however. 

Another pitcher's duel seemed to be in order in Garden City, as starter Lindsey Hibbs fanned seven of her first eight batters faced. Opposing ace Kaite Burawski counteracted that stretch of dominance by retiring six of her next seven batters faced in the second and third frames. 

The Purple Knights (27-22) were able to put some runners on the paths in the fourth due in part to two fielder's choices and a throwing error from Jaden Farhat. A deep fly ball caught on the foul line by a running Courtney Wengryn limited the offensive impact to just one run on the sacrifice fly. 

In the home half of the fifth, a pair of walks by Angela Lignelli and Brianna Fischer put the 'Cats in prime position. With two outs, Faith Camilleri shot a pitch through the middle of the infield, scoring Fischer to knot the game up at 1-apiece. 

A common theme over the last month seemingly continued on Thursday, as the sixth inning saw more sparks from the bats. A massive double for Farhat, aided by an error in the outfield, put the go-ahead run 60 feet away. Zee Zee Shreter then dropped a ball in the perfect spot just behind the infield, allowing Farhat to come home with the leading run. 

Hibbs continued her stellar afternoon, striking out her 11th and 12th batters in the seventh, en route to earning her 20th victory of the season. The Ontario native finished with a final line of one earned run on three hits and a walk, throwing 106 pitches. 

"When we set the table, we know anyone in the lineup can get the job done," remarked Adelphi Head Coach Carla Campagna. "We're just excited to be back in it and have an opportunity," she added. 

"Things are going to happen tomorrow, we need to make the plays but we've had all the opportunities and I know we'll be right there," Campagna continued. 

Campagna and Adelphi will now look ahead to tomorrow (May 10), when they take on the winner of No. 6 Molloy University vs. No. 3 Pace University in the first game. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Janet L. Ficke Field.