The softball team left the University Athletic Association tournament 3-5 but ended on a high note, defeating ninth-ranked Emory University 12-11. Brandeis had lost to them 14-6 in six innings last week.
The offensive rush began quickly as the Eagles Megan Light hit a two-run homer in the top of the first. Brandeis scored in the bottom of the first as Amanda Genovese ’15 reached on a bunt, stole second and reached home on a single to right by Madison Gagnon ’16. They took the lead in the next inning as the first four batters reached base. Melissa Nolan ’14 drove in Danielle Novotny ’16 on a single to left field, and Madison Hunter ’17 drove in Madison Sullivan ’16 on a fielder’s choice. They had a chance to further the lead in the inning with the bases loaded with two outs, but left all three runners on base.
The team had a similar opportunity in the following inning; bases loaded with two outs, but responded differently. Cori Coleman ’15 walked to bring home Novotny, Sullivan scored on a wild pitch and Genovese tripled to center field to bring home Coleman and Hunter. The Brandeis offense’s power was evident in the fourth as Anya Kamber ’15 doubled to right, scoring Jordan Buscetto ’16. Sullivan subsequently hit a two-run home run to lead 10-2. Seeming like an upset blowout, the Eagles came back with their own surge of runs in the fifth, scoring four runs on a single grand slam swing by Hannah Sendel. This came after an intentional walk with runners on first and second. Emory took the lead 11-10 in the five-run sixth which featured three doubles, a balk, walk, error, illegal pitch and three-run home run. Hunter tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a walk after reaching on a single to left as five batters reached base with two outs. The Eagles offense was halted in the seventh with nobody reaching the bases. Brandeis won the game in the bottom of the seventh. Kamber reached on an error and stole second. Leah Shapiro ’17 came in to pinch-run and scored on a double down the right field line by Novotny.
Nolan earned the win, pitching a one-two-three final seventh inning. Sullivan led the offense going 3-4 with three runs and two RBI’s. Genovese, Gagnon, Nolan and Hunter each had two hits. Genovese, Gagnon and Sullivan had two RBI’s apiece and Novotny and Hunter each had two runs. Washington University in St. Louis and Emory share the UAA Tournament trophy. Emory slipped down in the rankings to 14th. This is Brandeis’ first defeat of Emory since 1999, a 30 game losing streak. Wash U. and Emory share the UAA Tournament trophy. Brandeis leaves at 9-5 overall. They have two doubleheaders this weekend, on Saturday March 22 at Clark University and on Sunday March 23 at Norwich University.
