The Brandeis softball team kicked off the month with two double header matches against Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). The first double header, played on April 6, was a 0-8 loss for the Judges. The first inning was a shutout for both teams, but the Judges let the Spartans earn two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Bridget Cifuni ’21 earned half of the Judges’ hits, going 2-3 with a double. The second game started shortly after, and had a much stronger start. The Judges were the first team on the board at the top of the third inning. With two out, catcher Keri Lehtonen ’19 and center field Melissa Rothenberg ’21 both singled. Lehtonen scored when shortstop Jolie Fujita ’21 reached on an error at first base. The Judges held the lead for one inning, but the Spartans tied in the bottom of the fifth with a home run off of pitcher Callie MacDonald ’20. The Spartans went on to score three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings, ending the game 3-1 in favor of the Spartans.

The Judges came back two days later to face off again with CWRU for their second double header. In the first game, the Judges went scoreless and fell to the Spartans 5-0. The Judges rallied and came back to the field for their second game of the day and put up one run in the top of the second inning. Third baseman, PJ Ross ’20 , was on third when she beat the ball home off of a hit by first baseman Amanda Shore ’18.

The Judges returned to their home field for a double header against Fitchburg State on April 11. Brandeis swept the Fitchburg State Falcons, winning the first game 7-0, and the second game by the mercy rule in the sixth inning, finishing 11-3.

The Brandeis Softball team will continue their season this Friday and Saturday with two double headers against Emory University. Entering into the next week, the Judges face off against Eastern Nazarene for a double header on April 17 and Wellesley for a double header on April 18.