PURCHASE, NY – Purchase softball kicked things off on a high note for 2023, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning to propel them to a 2-0 win against Brooklyn College Monday afternoon.

The non-conference doubleheader—a reschedule from Mar. 7 due to weather—marked the season and home-opener for the Panthers.  

The infamous spring weather struck again during game two and didn't let up, forcing a suspension in the fourth inning. As a result, the nightcap went down in the books as unfinished.

Senior ace Tara Sasso (North Rockland, NY) authored a masterful performance in the complete-game shutout. Tossing 107 pitches against 26 batters, the standout right-hander yielded just two hits and four walks, while tallying a career-high 10 strikeouts across seven innings of action. Sasso advanced to 1-0 overall following the epic start to her senior campaign. 

It was a defensive battle between Purchase (1-0) and Brooklyn (3-6) to start the game, as both teams found themselves getting out of jams—until a game-opening bottom of the third for the hosts. Purchase would break a scoreless tie with RBI performances from rookies Malena Santia (FR/Rye, NY) and Amber Nero (FR/New Rochelle, NY), respectively. 

Senior shortstop Brianna Palermo (Hyde Park, NY) led off the inning with single up the middle and later came around to score (unnearned) on a Santia ground out to shortstop. Nero followed with a RBI single that brought teammate Rebecca Bronzi (SO/Lagrangeville, NY) around to score, 2-0. 

The tallies were more than enough for Sasso, who slammed the door shut in the seventh, leaving two stranded with her ninth and tenth strikeouts of the game.  

Palermo and Bronzi both went 2-for-3 at the plate with one stolen base to lead the Panther offense. Jade D'Errico (JR/Wantagh, NY) and Purchase newcomer Kelly Jennings (FR/Yorktown Heights) chipped in with one hit apiece, while Nero (1-for-3) and Santia teamed up for the game-winning RBI performances. 

Prior to Monday's twinbill, the Panthers competed in a series of exhibition games against junior colleges during a four-day spring break trip to Myrtle Beach last week. A packed schedule continues for Purchase as the team returns to its home diamond this Wednesday to play host to Hunter College for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.

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