Softball Takes Fifth Place At NJCAA National Tournament

Rochester, MN- The Brookdale softball team placed fifth at the NJCAA Division III national tournament after notching a 2-2 record.

In game one, the Blues topped North Dakota State College, 4-2. Sophomore catcher Bridget Coulahan posted a two-run double in the first inning as sophomore second baseman Paige Eckert recorded a sac-fly. Freshman shortstop Lizzie Dorsa added an RBI double in the fifth. Sophomore pitcher Bobbie Beck struck out eight batters and earned her 15th win from the mound.

Brookdale fell in game two against Rock Valley College, 10-5. Sophomore center-fielder Katrina Hand collected two hits and two scored runs while freshman catcher Michelle King went 2-3 from the plate.  Coulahan contributed another two-run hit.

Freshman outfielder Tori Lucarelli tallied two doubles in the Blues' third game against Monroe Community College. Brookdale fell behind in the second inning and could not rally back. Freshman third baseman Alyssa Raimondo and Dorsa each contributed two hits.

In the fourth and final game of the tournament for Brookdale, the team matched-up against Region XIX rival, Lehigh Carbon Community College. After seven innings, the Jersey Blues grabbed the fifth place title, defeating the Cougars, 4-2. Eckert notched two more hits and one RBI as sophomore pitcher Rachel Hrevnak recorded two hits, one RBI, four strikeouts and her 14th victory of the season.  Hand added three scored runs.

The 2018 softball team finished out the season with an overall record of 34-17, GSAC title, Region XIX District E title and a national fifth place finish.