Women’s Softball Gets Closer To Playoffs
By Owen Russell
The women’s softball team prolonged its hot streak, winning both double-headers this week, marking eight straight victories.
Brooklyn’s first double-header of the week pitted them against CUNYAC rival Lehman on Tuesday, Apr. 18. The Bulldogs shelled the Lightning in game one. Brooklyn struck first, scoring one run in the second inning when catcher Kaitlyn Belfield scored on an error. From there, the Bulldogs kept a consistent pace, scoring in each of the next four innings. By the end, Brooklyn beat Lehman 10-1. Kaitlyn Belfield and designated hitter Yesileidy Paulino led the team with three hits each. Pitcher Danielle Guzzardi struck out nine batters while allowing only one run in six innings.
In game two, Brooklyn battled from behind to sweep the Lightning. The Bulldogs struck first once again, scoring two unearned runs in the first inning. Lehman was quick to respond, scoring three runs in the first two innings, taking a 3-2 lead. The Bulldogs stayed strong, however, and tied the game in the third inning on a ground out by Yesileidy Paulino. With the game tied in the final inning, Brooklyn sealed the deal with three unearned runs. The Bulldogs capitalized on multiple errors by the Lightning, clinching the victory 6-3. Infielder Isabelle Frank helped put the Bulldogs over the top with two RBIs on two hits.
Brooklyn’s second double-header of the week consisted of two shutouts against Sarah Lawrence College. The Bulldogs won game one 7-0, and then game two 11-0 for a combined run differential of 18-0. Brooklyn pitcher Danielle Guzzardi pitched two gems over the course of the double-header. In game one, she allowed only two hits while striking out ten batters over the course of seven innings. Guzzardi proved even more dominant in game two. In five innings, Guzzardi struckout eight while allowing zero hits. The two wins help Brooklyn improve to 11-12 on the season with four games left until the playoffs.
Bulldogs Fall To Hunter In CUNYAC Semifinals
By Owen Russell & Allison Dubrow
The men’s tennis team finished its season this week with a loss to Hunter in the CUNYAC playoffs on Sunday, Apr. 23.
On Monday, Apr. 17, the Bulldogs suffered a 6-3 loss to Ramapo College. Brooklyn was unable to secure a victory in the doubles competition, losing all three matches. In singles, Brooklyn secured three victories, winning #4, #5, and #6. Sophomore Mujibur Shaad fought to secure a victory in three sets in #4 singles, winning the final set 10-8.
On Apr. 20, Brooklyn bounced back in a big way from their previous loss. The Bulldogs swept Sarah Lawrence College, winning all nine matches. Junior Mordecai Lev and freshman Allen Mardakhayev both shut out their opponents in #5 and #6 singles respectively. The win closed Brooklyn’s regular season on a high note, heading into the playoffs.
The men’s tennis team underwent an agonizing defeat on Apr. 23 in the CUNYAC Championship Tournament semifinal to Hunter College. Brooklyn College played three tight doubles matches, ending on a 5-4 loss. They won the first 8-6, lost the second in a tiebreak, and ended a close third doubles match 6-8.
The team went into the singles match knowing that they had to win four out of the six singles in order to win the whole thing. Ryan Sham played at the first position and was also first to win his singles match at 6-2, 6-3.
Mordecai Lev and Aymen Kuc were next to win their singles match and put the team at four wins. All they needed was one more win to advance to the finals match against Baruch.
Craig Pazarecki (#2), Ryan Hume (#3), and Mujibur Shaad (#5) all won their first sets, lost the second set, and went into an exciting third set. Unfortunately, all three lost their games.
“This loss was a tough one and we’ll dwell on it for a day or two, but that won’t help. We have to come back to be ready next season. We have a whole year to prepare and I can’t wait for this journey. We got this!” said Aymen Kuc.