Freshman Karleigh Eaton (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) helped to prolong The College at Brockport Softball team's season with several big hits that led to a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament bid with wins over SUNYAC opponent New Paltz on the road Saturday afternoon.

The freshman catcher led Brockport (18-15, 10-7 SUNYAC) to an 8-1 game one win with three hits and two runs batted in before a pinch hit two run double in game two secured a 5-0 victory over the Hawks. Overall on the day Eaton went four-of-five with four RBI and a run scored.

Pitcher Korey Kibling (LaFayette, NY/Bishop Ludden) earned her eighth victory of the year as the Golden Eagles gave her a first inning lead. Brianna Ferchen (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) tripled to start the game off and was knocked in two batters later as Erika Lazzaro (Oswego, NY/Oswego) hit a sacrifice fly to center field for the 1-0 lead.

Zeros ran across the scoreboard until the floodgate opened in the fifth as Brockport's offense took advantage of several New Paltz mistakes to score five runs. Brianna Harris (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) and Lazzaro singled back-to-back times with one out before cleanup hitter Kelly Proper (Silver Springs, NY/Letchworth) was struck by a pitch to load the bases. Lindsay Wachna (Syracuse, NY/Onondaga) reached base on an error by the pitcher adding a run to Brockport's tally.

Following a popup to put the Hawks one out away from escaping a bases loaded inning with only one run scored, Eaton made New Paltz pay with a two out two run single that chased the pitcher from the game. The new pitcher hit Nicole Atkins (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville) to once again load the bases. Pinch hitter Tabatha McBride (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus) singled to left center, as Wachna and Eaton crossed the plate prior to Atkins being tagged out at third base, giving Brockport a 6-0 lead.

New Paltz managed a run in the bottom half of the inning but Brockport tacked on two more scores in the top of the seventh to take an 8-1 lead which Kibling held onto.

The Golden Eagles were stuck in a scoreless battle in game two which held significant playoff implications heading into the third inning.  Brockport struck first as senior Gabrielle Rivers (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) singled with two outs before advancing to second base on a wild pitch. Ferchen drove her home with a double before scoring herself on a single by Harris to put the Green and Gold up 2-0.

Jaime Berger (Norwich, NY/Norwich) pitched a brilliant game and would not need any more support as she held the Hawks scoreless with only two hits allowed while posting five strikeouts.

However the Golden Eagles added some cushion in the sixth inning when Lazzaro reached second base on a dropped fly ball and Proper doubled her in to lead the inning off. Wachna walked before Delaney Buckley (Utica, NY/Utica Notre Dame) sacrificed her at-bat in bunt fashion advancing both runners into scoring position. Paige Monachino (East Rochester, NY/Aquinas) walked two batters later to load the bases with two outs and set the table for pinch hitter Eaton.

Eaton's two out two run single stung the Hawks yet again, as Brockport's lead was expanded to 5-0. Berger closed out the game in the seventh with a perfect one-two-three inning.

The Golden Eagles have a single SUNYAC game remaining as one of its contests against Oneonta on Friday was postponed due to the weather. The two teams square off tomorrow at 11 am on the Red Dragons' campus.