Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport softball team defending home field on Senior Day against Russell Sage in a crucial conference clash. Brockport has now clinched a spot in the postseason at 15-15 overall and 11-7 in the E8, earning the program's first postseason appearance since 2015.
In year three, Head Coach
Mary Karen Wheat has hit career-best marks on the way to her first career trip to the E8 Tournament at Brockport. Both the 15 overall wins and 11 conference wins are career-highs for Coach Wheat with four regular season games left to play. Currently with 22 points in the conference standings, MK has Brockport at fifth in the Empire 8.
Brockport 3, Sage 0 – Game 1 Final
Following the Senior Day ceremony, the Golden Eagles went to work to pick up a win to start the doubleheader. They got out to an early lead with a run in the first, holding that 1-0 lead into the fifth inning. Brockport added two more runs in the fifth and shutdown Sage to take the victory.
Liana DeValder (W, 8-5). threw a complete game shutout with nine strikeouts and just one walk. She paired a dominant pitching performance with a 1-for-3 showing at the plate, which included an RBI single in the first inning.
In the leadoff spot,
Erin Dougherty drew a pair of walks and scored a pair of runs.
Natalie Faas was 2-for-2 with a run scored and one walk.
Julia Hill hit in the three spot, going 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in the fifth inning.
Aubrey Ennis (1-3),
Caitlyn Dailey (1-3), and
Paige Wentland (1-2) all had hits as well.
Brockport 8, Sage 6 – Game 2 Final
Game two was different right from the get go, as Sage scored early and wound up with a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Brockport tied the game up at 2-2, thanks to DeValder's 2-run double in the third. Although Sage scored one in the fourth to go up 3-2, Brockport quickly responded.
The Golden Eagles put up three runs in the bottom of the fourth and one more in the fifth to go up 6-3. In the top of six, the Gators rallied to tie the game up again at 6-6. Brockport answered right away with two runs on the way to an 8-6 win.
Makenna Hart drew the start at pitcher, going 5.1 innings on the way to a no decision. She allowed four earned runs and had three stirkeouts.
Liana DeValder (W, 9-5) picked up her second win of the day, finishing out the final 1.2 innings of the game without allowing any hits or runs. DeValder also was 1-for-2 at the plate with a double and three RBIs.
Four different Brockport hitters had multi-hit performances.
Erin Dougherty was 2-for-3 with three bag swipes and two runs.
Natalie Faas was 2-for-3 with two run scored and one RBI.
Saylor Ayers was 2-for-3 and
Paige Wentland was also 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Golden Eagles are back home on Monday for a doubleheader against Hartwick, starting at 11am. They now battle to improve their place in the standings, with hopes of hosting a first round postseason matchup.
