The Brandeis softball team has spent the last week in Altamonte Springs, FL competing in the UAA tournament championship. The team left Friday, March 4 for Florida and were thrown into the NCT tournament in Orlando the next day. The two games played in the tournament were just warm-ups for the team before they jump into some of the most important games they will play all season.
The NCT tournament consisted of two games, the first against Austin College and the second against Penn State-Brandywine. In the first game the Judges lost in a close game against Austin, losing 8-9. However, the Judges came back to finish the day strong with a huge win of 9-0 against Penn State Brandywine. The game ended in five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.
The women’s softball team then enjoyed a two day break before jumping into UAAs. On Tuesday, the softball team faced a double header against Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Rochester. The Judges suffered a tough loss against Washington University in St. Louis losing by the mercy rule, 2-10, after six innings. Madison Sullivan ’16 and Danielle Novotny ’16 contributed for the Judges offensively, with Sullivan hitting a key two-run double in the third with two outs and Novotny with two hits and a stolen base. However, the Judges dug deep to pull out a 10-1 win in the second game of the day against the University of Rochester, mercy ruling their opponent after five innings of play. Rochester opened the scoring in the top of the second, but the Judges answered with eight runs in the bottom of the second inning, sending 13 batters to the plate. Sadie-Rose Apfel ’18 earned the win against Rochester, while Melissa Soleimani ’17 finished out the game for the Judges.
The Judges faced New York University and Case Western Reserve University Wednesday, earning wins in both games. Soleimani took the mound in the first game against NYU, earning the win 7-3. The Judges took a close game from Case Western Reserve with a score of 7-6. Apfel started the game for the Judges but left in the sixth inning when Case tied the game. Sarah Petrides ’19 relieved Apfel, getting the last out of the inning. Soleimani secured the win for the Judges, coming in to close out the game.
The Judges dropped their game against Emory University on Thursday, losing 2-11 in their only game of the day. The Judges play again Friday against Washington University in St. Louis at 10 a.m. and the University of Rochester at 1 p.m. On Saturday the Judges face NYU at 10 a.m. and Case Western Reserve University at 1 p.m. The Brandeis softball team will finish the UAA tournament Sunday against Emory University at 10 a.m. before flying home.
