3/27/25
 
LINCROFT, NJ – Brookdale used strong performances in the middle innings of both games to sweep past Lackawanna College softball, 8-2 and 11-7, on Thursday afternoon in a region cross-divisional contest in Jersey.
 
The Falcons (11-15) were undone by the fourth innings in both games one and two, as the Division III #5 Jersey Blues (14-4) scored a combined ten runs to sprint ahead of the flailing Falcons.
 
In game one, Lackawanna trailed just 3-2 heading into the fourth inning, but Brookdale scored four runs on four hits in the inning, capping things with a two-out, two-run double to right to score a pair and go ahead 7-2. The Falcons wasted a two-out triple form Emmalee Mowery (Mechanicsburg, PA) in the top of the fifth, and wouldn't get past first on a leadoff walk in the sixth for their only other baserunner. Brookdale tacked on another run on a deep double to center in the bottom of the sixth, then shut the door with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
 
After falling behind 2-0 after one inning, the Falcons responded in the second with a pair of runs courtesy of an Isabella Rodriguez (Lancaster, PA) single to right, and then a dropped fly ball in right field that scored Rodriguez and let Mowery get all the way to third before getting thrown out at the plate. Brookdale got the lead back thanks to an error in the third inning putting a runner in scoring position, then doubling her home to make it 3-2, Jersey Blues. That was a lead they'd never surrender.
 
Mowery was 2-for-3, while Rodriguez had an RBI and a run. Jillian Heimberger (Unionville, PA) was the only other Falcons with a hit, going 1-for-2 with a walk. Heimberger took the loss in the pitcher's circle, giving up eight runs, six earned, on 12 hits in six innings. She struck out five in the loss.
 
The bats were much more active in the second game for Lackawanna College, as the Falcons built a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. A run for Brookdale cut it to 6-4 heading into the fourth, but the bottom frame was where Brookdale once again did considerable damage, scoring six runs to turn a two-run deficit into a four-run lead. The highlights included back-to-back wild pitches to score runs and tie the game, then a double-steal to take the lead, followed by a one-run double, and then a two-run single to blow it wide open. The Jersey Blues had six runs in the inning.
 
After Brookdale added another run in the fifth on a one-out single to right, the Falcons got a run back when Rodriguez hit a one-out double, got to third on a ground out, then scored on a single from Laniah Tasker (Chambersburg, PA) to cut it to 11-7. The Falcons couldn't do anything else, however, as the Jersey Blues retired Lackawanna in order to end the game.
 
The Falcons jumped out, initially, thanks to three straight singles to lead the game off and make it 1-0. A two-out walk loaded the bases, and Kizbelth Ortiz (New Britain, CT) delivered a two-run single to center that made it 3-0, Falcons. The lead expanded to five runs in the second, when Rodriguez tripled home Mowery, then scored on a sac fly from Heimberger.
 
After Brookdale added three in the bottom of the second, Lackawanna responded with a run in the top of the third, using a leadoff walk from Ortiz, followed by a one-out double from Mekenzie Dineen (Wilmington, DE), to set up a Mowery sac fly. An error cost the Falcons a run in the bottom half, and that set the stage for the six-run fourth inning that turned the game on its head.
 
Rodriguez was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Mowery scored two runs, Heimberger drove in a pair, and Laniah Tasker had a run scored and an RBI. Ortiz also scored a run and drove in two more. Dineen took the loss, pitching an inning of relief, which happened to be the fourth, and giving up five runs on six hits, allowing the Jersey Blues to come from behind and eventually win.
 
Lackawanna must get right back to work on Friday, March 28^th, when the Falcons are set to host a doubleheader at home against Frederick CC. First pitch is set for 3:00pm ET at the Scranton HS softball field.