BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College softball team opened the 2015 season in grand fashion, by winning both ends of a doubleheader against Yeshiva University, on the South Field on Monday afternoon. The Lightning won the first contest, 7-4, and took the second game by a score of 21-4.

John McKenna earned his first two victories as a collegiate head coach.

The Lightning scored four runs in the first inning of the opening game. Sophomore third baseman Linda Resto (Bronx, N.Y./Lehman H.S.) opened the scoring by hitting a single to right field, scoring sophomore second baseman Arlette Martinez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Newtown), to put the home team up 1-0. After Lehman went up 2-0, junior outfielder Chariny Graciano (Jackson Heights, N.Y./Information Technology) and sophomore outfielder Micharey Almanzar (Bronx, N.Y./Park East) drew back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to extend Lehman's lead to 4-0.

In the bottom of the second, with sophomore Meghan Bravo (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) at the plate, and junior catcher Kyala Cruz (Brooklyn, N.Y./American Senior) and senior first baseman Ashley Williams (Bronx, N.Y./Bronx Leadership Academy) on the corners, Williams successfully stole second by beating the tag. Cruz was able to steal home on the throw, to put Lehman up 5-1.

Yeshiva was able to inch closer, by scoring two runs in the fourth, and one in the fifth, to cut Lehman's lead to 5-4. In the bottom of the sixth, the Lightning were able to get more breathing room, as Bravo picked up an RBI on a groundball to score Cruz, and make it 6-4 Lehman.

With the home team up 7-4 in the top of the seventh, Bravo picked up two strikeouts and got Kayla Applebaum to fly out to center, to clinch the first game for the Lightning.

In the circle, Bravo pitched a complete game, giving up three earned runs, while striking out four, to earn the win. Cruz led the way at the plate, picking up two hits, including a double, scored two runs, drew a walk, and stole two bases. Williams added a run batted in.

In game two, the Lightning (2-0) erupted for 14 runs in the home half of the third inning. Lehman went on to win 21-4, in a game that ended after four and a half innings.

Bravo picked up her second complete game victory of the afternoon, giving up two earned runs, two hits, and striking out six Yeshiva (0-6) hitters.

At the plate, Williams hit a single with the bases loaded to drive in three runs, and connected on a two-run ground-rule double. She had six total RBI in the second game. Martinez scored three runs, produced three singles, and drove in a run. Almanzar and Graciano each scored three runs and had one RBI. Cruz scored two runs and had a double.

Freshman second baseman Bianca Osorio (Bronx, N.Y./N.Y.C. College Prep) drove in four runs, had a double, scored two runs, and drew two walks, while junior catcher Jona Kerluku (Ozone Park, N.Y./CTEA) scored two runs, hit a single, produced two RBI, and drew a walk. Sophomore outfielder Imalay Rodriguez (Bronx, N.Y./Metropolitan) hit an RBI single, scored a run, and reached on a walk, while senior outfielder Joselyn Cuzco (Bronx, N.Y./Flushing) and freshman second baseman Karina Lora (Bronx, N.Y./Bronx Leadership Academy) each scored a run.

The doubleheader at Farmingdale State College, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, has been postponed. Lehman will be back in action on the South Field, on Thursday, for a doubleheader against Hunter. First pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 4:00 p.m.