Brooklyn, N.Y.- The Hunter College softball team opened up conference play with a victorious double header at Brooklyn College this weekend as the Hawks improved to 4-6 overall and 2-0 in CUNYAC competition with te 4-2, and 8-7 wins.

Game 1 Hunter 4, Brooklyn 2
The game started with both teams demonstrating solid defense, keeping the scoreboard clean in the first inning. However, Brooklyn managed to break the deadlock in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on a couple of errors and a well-executed hit, taking an early 2-0 lead.

Undeterred, Hunter rallied back in the top of the third inning with a flurry of hits and smart base running. Olivia Palumbo, Sophia Perez, and Grace Basil led the offensive charge, helping to knot the score at 2-2. Paige Witalec's double and Sonia Rosenthal's single then drove in two more runs, giving the Hawks a 4-2 lead.

From there, it became a defensive battle, with neither team able to add any more runs to their totals. Pitchers Basil and T'ea Panagakos held strong for the Hawks, shutting down the Bulldogs' offense inning after inning.

Despite Brooklyn's efforts to mount a comeback in the later innings, Hunter's defense remained steadfast, ultimately securing the win with a final score of 4-2.

Game 2 Hunter 8, Brooklyn 7
The Bulldogs stormed ahead in the first inning, capitalizing on opportunities to take an early 3-0 lead. However, Hunter swiftly responded in the second inning, with Olivia Palumbo leading the charge with a solid hit, followed by a series of well-executed plays that allowed them to narrow the gap to 3-1.

The momentum shifted again in the third inning as the Hawks; offense came alive, fueled by  Perez's smart base running and  Basil's clutch hit, tying the game at 3-3. Hunter then surged ahead in the fifth inning, adding another run to their tally to take a 4-3 lead.

Brooklyn fought back fiercely, reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a series of hits and strategic base running, pushing ahead 6-4. However, Hunter refused to back down, mounting a remarkable comeback in the sixth inning. Key hits from Samantha Marsala and Jessica Fowler, combined with aggressive base running, allowed them to tie the game at 6-6 and then take a narrow 7-6 lead.

The tension remained high in the seventh inning as both teams battled to gain the upper hand. The Hawks managed to add an insurance run, extending their lead to 8-6. In the bottom of the seventh, Brooklyn fought valiantly to stage a comeback, but Hunter;s defense held firm, securing the hard-earned victory despite Brooklyn's late push.

The Hawks return to the field on April 11 as they host Farmingdale College on Randall's Island for a double header at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.