NAPLES, FLA. — The St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) softball team played a pair of eight-inning contests to conclude their participation in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Wednesday. The Bears suffered a 4-3 defeat to Western Connecticut State University to begin the day before a 4-for-4 game at the plate for Nicole Trani (Staten Island, N.Y./Moore Catholic) led an SJBK quintet with multi-hit games in their 8-7 win over the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. 

The Bears return north with a 4-4 overall record, splitting their eight games in the Sunshine State.

How it Happened vs. WestConn

The Bears opened the scoring in the top of the third when Leila Heller (Belle Chasse, La./Belle Chasse) brought in a pair of runs on a bases-loaded single to right. They tacked on a third run in the fifth when Trani scored thanks to an error in the outfield.

The Wolves got on the board in the sixth, scoring all three of their runs in the frame with two outs and the bases juiced to tie the game at 3-3.

Both sides saw runners on in the seventh, with WestConn placing the game-winning run in scoring position, but neither side broke the deadlock, forcing extra innings.

With Emily Burroughs (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual) placed on second base to begin the eighth inning, she advanced to third on Heller's sacrifice bunt. However, the Bears' half of the inning ended with a pair of runners left on base. Following a groundout that placed WestConn's base runner to third base, a single to center field scored the Wolves' fourth run to seal their 4-3 victory.

How it Happened vs. MCLA

A pair of Trailblazer runs scored on an RBI single in the top of the first before Kristen Oddo (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) cut the SJBK deficit in half in the bottom of the second. She scored on Burroughs' single to tie the game.

MCLA's go-ahead run scored on a wild pitch in their half of the third inning with a home run off the bat of Kristie Zator giving the New England-based side a 5-2 lead. RBI singles from Maeve McKeon (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant) and Trani again brought the Bears' to within one, 5-4.

Entering the bottom of the seventh with two outs and a 6-4 deficit, Trani went for extra bases as her double brought home McKeon before crossing the plate on Isabella Calabrese's (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) single to tie the game at six.

Following three straight outs in the top of the eighth, Oddo brought the Bears' game-winning run 60 feet away. Despite Burroughs flying out to center field, Lauren Van Der Kamp (Sacramento, Calif./Rosemont) was able to score; clinching the Bears' 7-6 triumph.

For the Bears vs. WestConn

• Arianna Heinsch (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall Academy) went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
• Sofia Logreco (San Diego, Calif./Mission Hills), Van Der Kamp, and Calabrese all went 1-for-4 on the day.
• Trani and McKeon both scored a run.
• Brooke Horn (Lakeside, Calif./El Capitan) threw 100 pitches, struck out six, walked three, and allowed four runs (three earned) in defeat.

For the Bears vs. MCLA

• Trani logged a pair of doubles and as many RBI in the win. She also scored a pair of runs.
• Burroughs went 2-for-2 at the plate and registered two RBI, including the game-winner.
• Oddo finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI.
• McKeon and Bella Gomez (Whittier, Calif./Sonora) each went 2-for-4 in the game with the former driving in a run.
• Heller struck out four and allowed just one run in 5.2 innings of work, earning the win. 

Up Next
The Bears return north for a non-conference doubleheader with Hunter College on Wednesday, March 22. First pitch from Randall's Island is scheduled for 3 p.m. with live stats available on sjbkathletics.com/live.