The Brandeis Judges softball team returns to home action, wrapping up two double headers in two days, sweeping Lasell 3-2, 8-3 and settling for a split at Clark taking game one 3-2 but getting blanked 1-0.
A two out triple put Clark on the scoreboard in game one, but Brandeis was able to tie it up in the sixth after back to back errors brought Samantha Gajewski ’12 across the plate. It remained tied after seven innings, requiring extra inning action. Brandeis struck first thanks to Emily Grimm ’12 who brought home the go-ahead and winning runs with a two run double to left field giving the Judges their first lead of the game, 3-1. Clark got one run across on an RBI single and had the tying run in scoring position with one out. In the end though, Brandeis pitcher Emily Vaillette ’11 was able to secure the complete game, coaxing a ground out and pop out to second to end the game.
Vaillette earned the victory, pitching all eight innings, giving up two runs on three hits; one earned and had three strikeouts. Melissa Traft took the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits. She also had only one run charged to her. Brittany Grimm ’12 and Chelsea Korp ’10 powered the offense, each player getting two hits while Clark only had one player, Lauren Blake, who finished with a multi-hit game.
Game two of the double-header saw Clark jump out on the scoreboard first and this time, they wouldn’t relinquish it. Lauren Blake led off the bottom of the first with a single and soon ended up on third after a wild pitch and a throwing error from catcher Erin Ross ’10. Another wild pitch one batter later brought home Blake who ended up providing all the scoring there would be. The Judges threatened in the top of the second, Courtney Kelley’s ’11 single loaded the bases with one out but Clark escaped the jam, getting groundouts back to the mound Carly Schmand ’11 and Chelsea Korp ’10 to end the inning and preserve the lead. The game remained a pitcher’s duel, with neither side able to get back on the scoreboard for the rest of the game. Korp provided a last gasp, getting a one out single in the final inning but Melissa Cagar ’11 lined into an unassisted double play to end the game.
Sarah Carter shut out Brandeis, throwing a complete game scattering five hits and two walks. Miller nearly matched her perfectly, the one run allowed in the first proving the difference. Miller went six innings, giving up the run on six hits and also collected four strikeouts while not allowing a walk. Korp was the lone bright spot on offense, having her second multi-hit performance of the day. Lauren Blake went 3-3 for the hosts, also the only player to have a multi-hit game.
The split comes one day after Brandeis swept away nearby Lasell on a Mar. 24 double header. Game one saw the Judges climb back from a 2-0 deficit, getting all three runs on a bases-clearing triple from pinch hitter Lara Hirschler ’12 in the top of the fourth and that proved the difference. Samantha Gajewski went 2-3 at the plate for Brandeis while Vaillette delivered a complete game to pick up her second win of the season. The second game did not require any comebacks as Brandeis jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings providing Caroline Miller ’12 all the support she needed. Miller threw six innings, victimizing Lasell for nine strikeouts before handing the ball over to Allie Mussen ’10, who closed out the final inning. Three Judges had a multi-hit performance at the plate in game two, led by first baseman Marianne Specker ’12 who went 2-3 with 2 RBI’s.
Brandeis returns home early, hosting Bates for a Mar. 29 double header originally scheduled to be held at Bates. They return to the road, taking on WPI for an April Fool’s double header and then return home Apr. 3 to host Framingham State for two rounds.
