BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) softball team earned 9-7 and 13-9 wins over Brooklyn College on Friday evening.

Game 1

The Bears struck first in the opening inning, but the Bulldogs answered with two runs in the bottom half. SJBK quickly regained control, erupting for four runs in the second. After capitalizing on a fielding error to tie the game at two, a sacrifice fly by Leah Magallanes (Sylmar, Calif.) gave the Bears a 3–2 lead. Another Bulldog error, followed by an RBI double from Brielle Nelson (Chandler, Ariz.), pushed the advantage to 5–2.

The hosts responded with two runs in the fourth on a single and a flyout to center, then added two more in the sixth to take a 6–5 lead.

In the seventh, Payton Walker (Eastvale, Calif.) drew a leadoff walk and later scored the tying run to force extra innings. In the eighth, Leila Heller (Belle Chasse, La.), who was placed on second base to start the inning, and Magallanes both came around to score on Bulldog infield miscues, giving the Bears a 9–6 edge. Brooklyn College managed to cut the deficit to 9–7 but couldn't complete the comeback, as the Bears held on for the win.

Walker finished the game batting 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Five other Bears recorded hits including Nelson and Nicole Shultz (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) nothing doubles. Makena Burr (Foster City, Calif.) Improved to 5-2 in the circle, striking out a pair in four innings. Alyssa Garcia (Montebello, Calif.) earned her first collegiate save, striking out three innings four innings of relief.

Game 2

The Bears' bats came alive early, plating five runs on as many hits in the first inning. Walker and Heller each delivered RBI doubles, with Heller driving in a pair, while Audrey Scott (Rocklin, Calif.) and Magallanes added base hits of their own

The Bulldogs quickly answered, trimming the deficit to one with a four-run second inning—all coming with two outs. In the third, St. Joseph's pushed its lead to 7–4, then extended it further to 11–4 after four and a half innings.

Brooklyn College threatened again in the bottom of the sixth. A single made it 11–5, and a grand slam pulled the Bulldogs within two at 11–9. St. Joseph's responded with a two-run seventh to regain control and create some breathing room before holding on for a 13–9 victory.

Vivian Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) went 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, RBI, and four runs scored. Scott had three hits while Walker and Heller each had a pair. The trio combined for five runs scored and eight RBI. 

A. Garcia started in the circle, tossing a complete game for her first collegiate win. She fanned five Bulldogs in the process.

The Bears open Skyline Conference play, as well as their home schedule, on Sunday, March 29 against Mount Saint Mary College. First pitch from LIU Post is scheduled for 12 pm.