Newark, NJ----The Brooklyn College softball team picked up a non-conference split at Rutgers-Newark on Friday. BC took Game 1, 8-2, for their first win over the Scarlet Raiders since 2015 before just being edged in Game 2, 3-2. Brooklyn moves to 10-18 overall at the end of the day while Rutgers-Newark goes to 8-24. Next Up: Brooklyn trips to Old Westbury on Monday for another non-conference doubleheader beginning at 4pm.
Game 1 Recap | Brooklyn- 8, Rutgers-Newark- 2
Brooklyn wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Haylee Burleigh crossed home on an RBI groundout by Katelyn Young before Addy Cook came around to score on a wild pitch, giving the Bulldogs an early 2-0 advantage. The lead grew to 3-0 in the second inning when Julia Corcoran scored on another Rutgers-Newark miscue.
Kureshma Dhanraj kept Rutgers-Newark in check through the first three innings, but the hosts managed to cut into the deficit in the fourth. Ellery Mahony delivered a two-run single to center field, trimming Brooklyn's lead to 3-2.
The Bulldogs responded emphatically in the fifth inning, breaking the game open with five runs. Lianna Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch to start the rally, followed by an RBI single from Young. Vida Rodriguez added a run-scoring double before additional runs crossed on wild pitches and a groundout by Jenna Hood, extending the lead to 8-2.
From there, Dhanraj shut the door. The right-hander tossed a complete game, allowing just two runs on six hits while walking one to improve to 5-11 on the season.
Offensively, Brooklyn tallied nine hits, led by Julia Corcoran's 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Addy Cook and Vida Rodriguez each recorded two hits, while Young drove in a team-high two runs.
Game 2 Recap | Brooklyn- 2, Rutgers-Newark- 3
The Bulldogs outhit Rutgers-Newark 10-9 but were unable to overcome a three-run third inning by the hosts, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Brooklyn threatened early and often, collecting hits in multiple innings, but struggled to convert with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 runners on base.
Rutgers-Newark broke through in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on timely hitting and a wild pitch to plate three runs. A sacrifice fly opened the scoring before an RBI single and a run scored on a wild pitch extended the lead to 3-0.
The Bulldogs responded in the fourth inning when Lianna Gonzalez delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Julia Corcoran, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Brooklyn chipped away again in the sixth, as Gonzalez came through once more with an RBI triple to right field, scoring Corcoran for the second time in the game.
Despite the late push, Brooklyn could not find the equalizer, going scoreless in the seventh inning to seal the final margin.
Gonzalez led the offense, going 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs. Corcoran had a strong outing as well, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Jazlyn Roberts added two hits, while Haylee Burleigh, Addy Cook, Victoria Elderbaum, and Olivia Gonzalez each contributed a hit.
In the circle, Jessica Bowe took the loss, allowing three runs over 2.2 innings of work. Kureshma Dhanraj provided solid relief, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out two.
