Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The College at Brockport Softball team opened up the 2013 season with a split in Lee County, FL on Saturday. The Golden Eagles defeated New England 13-9 in the season-opener and fell to Wisconsin-Lutheran in the second game by a score of 4-1. Emily Dumas (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) and Julie Arnold (Fredonia, NY/Fredonia) each collected three hits in the first game of the day.

Brockport piled on the runs in the opener, scoring two runs in the first, six in the second, and five in the third to pull away early. New England threatened late, scoring three runs in the final frame but the Golden Eagle offense did enough damage early on to escape with the win. Erin Fleming (Friendship, NY/Bolivar-Richburg) got the start in game two and cruised through the first five innings, allowing just three base runners. The Warriors got to the sophomore in the sixth inning, scoring four runs, two earned, to steal a late win.

Jaime Berger (Norwich, NY/Norwich) opened the season in the circle for the Golden Eagles against New England. The freshman allowed a leadoff walk but settled down to retire the next five batters. Sarah Rosenbarker (Endicott, NY/Maine-Endwell) provided the first runs of the season for Brockport, doubling to left centerfield to score Dumas and Emily Kolenda (Oswego, NY/Oswego). The Golden Eagles exploded in the second inning as Caitlyn Rana (Ballston Lake, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) drove in Arnold with an infield single. After Brianna Ferchen (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) scored on a wild pitch, Dumas singled to left to drive in Rana. Arnold came to the plate for the second time in the inning and provided a two-run single to center, scoring Dumas and Kolenda.

Jenna Yates (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) singled in the third to score Ferchen and Rosenbarker had another big hit for the Golden Eagles, scoring two on a single up the middle. Arnold recorded two more RBI with a single of her own, scoring Rosenbarker and Kolenda. New England scored two runs in the fourth to cut Brockport's lead to 13-6. The lead remained until the Nor'Easters tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh but Brockport held on for the victory.

Arnold finished game one 3-4 with four RBI and one run scored. Dumas also finished 3-4, scoring two runs and adding an RBI. Rosenbarker collected two hits, adding four RBI. Ferchen also finished with two hits and two runs scored while stealing a base.

Korey Kibling (Lafayette, NY/Bishop Ludden) provided 3.2 innings of relief work, striking out three to earn her first career victory in the circle for the Golden Eagles. Kolenda finished off the game in the seventh.

The offense cooled down in game two as Brockport and Wisconsin-Lutheran failed to score through the first four innings of play. Fleming allowed just two hits and one walk through the first five innings. Brockport struck first with a run in the bottom of the fifth as Rana laid down a sacrifice bunt, reaching on an error that scored Brianna Harris (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool).

The Warriors got to Fleming in the sixth, singling in their first three at-bats. Berger entered the circle after Wisconsin-Lutheran scored three runs off Fleming. The Warriors added one more run that was credited to Fleming. Brockport had just one base runner over the final two innings as the Golden Eagles fell to 1-1.

Harris collected her first two hits of her Brockport career against the Warriors while Ferchen recorded the only other hit for the Golden Eagles. Fleming struck out four batters while walking just one on the day.

Brockport returns to action on its spring training trip tomorrow with a pair of games at the Lee County Complex. The Golden Eagles will take on Wooster at 1:00 pm and will face Polytechnic Institute at 3:00 pm.