The Brandeis baseball team entered competition this past weekend 6-13 and 2-6 against UAA opponents. They are currently in last place in the conference.
The most recent game took place at home on Tuesday against Worcester State University. The Judges lost 9-5. Brandeis had trouble getting off to a fast start, gaining two hits in the first five innings as the Lancers scored five runs during the same span. The Judges were unable to piece together hits, achieving multiple hits in only two of their nine innings. They were able to score three runs in the sixth inning, putting them within two runs of Worcester. The home team had a good eye for the ball, reaching base on walks six times.
Dominic Schwartz ’14 led the Judges with two hits, one was a double. Starting pitcher Kyle Brenner ’15 attained his fifth loss of the season, going four innings. Five of the six Brandeis relievers were able to keep the Lancers at bay, going 4 1/3 innings allowing one hit and no runs. Worcester State’s Zach George, Rob Macdonald and Dennis Duplessis each had three hits, with George also scoring three times and Macdonald driving in four. Lancers’ starter Cody Osburn went six innings allowing four runs on four hits. Jared Kuzio earned the save after pitching three innings.
On Monday the Judges traveled to UMass-Dartmouth and left on the wrong end of a 7-0 loss. No runs were scored in the first four innings but the Corsairs were able to end the game on a strong note. Brandeis’ Nick Cortese ’13 and Kyle Brenner each contributed two hits including a double by Brenner. Despite the loss, starting pitcher Mike Swerdloff ’13 pitched well over 6 2/3 innings allowing three earned runs with an additional two unearned and striking out three. UMass-Dartmouth’s Ryan Medeiros, George Aggostini and Luke Bomback each had two hits, and Wayne Bolz drove in two runs. Tyler White scored twice and had a solo home-run. Corsairs starting pitcher Aaron Chouinard lasted the entire game, allowing seven hits and striking out five.
The Judges began the week on a high note defeating Framingham State University 10-6 on Sunday in Framingham. Each team scored three in the third but the Judges pulled out in front by scoring another four in the fifth and adding two insurance runs in the final inning. Brandeis had an even balance of offense, having every starter earn a hit. Kyle Brenner, Max Hart ’16, Dominic Schwartz and Brian Allen ’15 each had a multi-hit game. Liam O’Connor ’16 also contributed three runs batted in, two of them sacrifices. Tom McCarthy ’15 led the team going four for four as well as reaching base on a walk. The four hits is a career high for him.
Dylan Britton ’13 tallied his third win of the season after pitching six innings, allowing nine hits and six runs. Elio Fernandez ’15 kept the Rams at bay going 2 2/3 innings allowing only two hits and striking out three. Kyle Brenner closed the game with a strikeout. Framingham State’s Justin Forman, Ivan Colon and Matt Roberge each had two hits. Forman also reached base twice on walks. Colon started the game going four innings allowing four runs on eight hits.
The Judges are now 7-15 and enter a busy week of ballgames with eight games over a seven-day span, including three doubleheaders. They begin with a doubleheader at home against Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Saturday. Despite their disappointing record the Judges have utilized the depth of their bench, with 22 players gaining some playing time over the last three games. O’Connor, McCarthy, Cortese, Brenner and Kevin Barry ’14 are all hitting above .300 over the course of the season. O’Connor leads with 28 hits and 13 RBI’s. The three primary starting pitchers, Swerdloff, Brenner and Britton have a 4.51 cumulative earned run average and have been on the mound for 123 2/3 of the teams 193 total innings and have 60 of the team’s 86 strikeouts.
