The New York University Softball Team opened its four-game home weekend series with Brandeis University by dropping a 3-2 10-inning contest on Friday, April 22, at the College of Staten Island.

It was a pitcher's duel throughout, as the Violets' Marina Egbert and Brandeis' Alex Cohen only allowed one run each through the regulation seven innings and the first two extra innings.

However, in the top of the 10th, the Judges (21-14, 7-10) plated two runs and the Violets (11-19, 5-10) could only answer with one in the bottom of the frame as the University Athletic  Association (UAA) weekend opener went to Brandeis.

Each team had scored a run in the fourth inning, Brandeis' coming on a single by Jamie Pippin and NYU's scoring on Samantha Burggraf's single.

The game remained without many scoring opportunities until the Violets rustled up a rally in the bottom of the ninth. Burggraf led off with a single and Madi Hand followed with a double to put the winning run on third with no one out out. However, Lily Candelaria lined out to second base for the first out. Sophia Leon then attempted a suicide squeeze but Burggraf was thrown out at home plate. Leon subsequently stole second, but Bella Dunning struck out to end the inning.

Brandeis immediately capitalized in the top of the 10th, scoring on an NYU error and a double by Cohen.

Maggie Swan relieved Egbert and got the final two outs of the inning, but the Violets only managed one in the bottom of the inning on Erin Scott's sacrifice fly as NYU suffered the tantalizing defeat.

Egbert (6-10) was stuck with the loss despite allowing only one earned run and seven hits while striking out six in her 9.1 innings of work.

Cohen also pitched brilliantly, going the full 10 innings and striking out 11.

Burggraf and Scott each recorded two of the Violets' six hits.

The teams will be back at it for a doubleheader beginning at 11:00am on Saturday.