Buffalo, NY – The Brockport Softball team went 1-1 in today's season opening doubleheader against the Buffalo State Bengals. Catherine Johnson (1-0) struck out four from the circle, pitching a full game to earn the winning decision in a 12-2 game one victory. Buffalo State took game two, 6-2.
 
Amanda Blakely and Jenna Downey led the team with 3 RBIs each on the day. Blakely went 3-for-8 with two runs scored and a double in two games. Downey collected two hits in four at bats, and was walked three times in the doubleheader.
 
Leadoff hitter, Olivia Hayden was locked in at the plate, going 4-for-8 with four runs scored. She also brought in one run and stole two bases. Kacie Hubbard finished 3-for-7 with the bat today, bringing in one run on a sacrifice fly in game one.
 
Brockport 12, Buffalo St. 2 – Game 1
 
The Green and Gold got on the board early, scoring two runs in the top of the first, sparked by Blakely's RBI double that brought Hayden in to score. The Bengals got on the board with runs in the second and third inning, but would not score for the rest of game one. The Golden Eagles knocked in 10 unanswered runs, including seven in the sixth to put the game away.
 
Downey and Blakely both came through with a 2 RBI single in the top of the sixth, allowing Brockport to blow the lead wide open. In her first career start for the Golden Eagles, Catherine Johnson posted four strikeouts in a six-inning, complete game pitching effort. Johnson allowed just one earned run and gave up only three hits on her way to a 1-0 start for 2021.
 
Brockport 2, Buffalo St. 6 – Game 2
 
Brockport got on the board in the first inning again thanks to an RBI single from Annie Dipirro, giving the squad a 1-0 lead early. Buffalo State bounced back with four unanswered runs in the next few innings to take a 4-1 advantage into the fifth. With the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Jenna Downey drew a walk to bring a second run in for the Green and Gold. The hosting Bengals would bring two more across home plate to secure the 6-2 win in game two.
 
Julia Palopoli (0-1) started in the circle, allowing two earned runs in three innings of action. Macy Kane entered the game in relief, finishing out the final three innings of game two. Makenna Adams (3-0) pitched a complete game with five strikeouts for the Bengals.
 
Brockport starts the season out 1-1, while Buffalo State moves to 4-4. Both teams are now 1-1 in SUNYAC play.
 
The Golden Eagles are back in action on Wednesday, April 6^th for their first home battle of the year. They play host to the Geneseo Knights for another doubleheader, starting at 3 pm.