The Brandeis Judges softball team played their first two games of the season on April 10. In game one of the double header against Worcester State University, the Brandeis Judges softball team won in very convincing fashion with a score of 9-0. The team was led by pitcher Sydney Goldman ’22, who threw a perfect game. Additionally, the Judges scored nine runs on nine hits in their first game of the season.
Goldman pitched five innings and struck out 13 batters on just 55 pitches. In this perfect game, Goldman struck out every single batter except for two batters on the road to victory. She threw only 10 balls in the entire game. This was only the second perfect game to be thrown in Brandeis softball history and the program’s first no-hitter since 2011.
The Judges were successful with their hitting as well. The team was led by third baseman Haley Nash ’24, who collected two hits in three at bats, and catcher Tara Striggow ’23, who had two hits in three at bats with two runs batted in (RBIs). Nearly every player in the lineup collected at least one hit on their way to a convincing victory in game one of the double header.
In game two of the double header, the Judges again scored nine runs in the game leading to a 9-1 victory over Worcester State. Brandeis scored a run in every inning besides the first inning. The team combined for nine hits. One of the keys to the victory appeared to be the walks as the team collected eight total walks against Worcester State.
Rookie pitcher Alex Cohen ’24, in her first game with Brandeis, pitched a gem. She allowed five hits in six innings while allowing only one run. Additionally, she struck out 11 batters using 99 total pitches and 72 strikes.
Three players tallied two hits in the game. Center fielder Melissa Rothenberg ’21, shortstop Jolie Fujita ’21 and pitcher Cohen all tallied two hits in the game. Rothenberg and Fujita added two RBIs and Cohen had one RBI. In this game, Cohen not only pitched a gem but also swung the bat well. Although Nash and second baseman Marley Felder ’22 did not have a hit in the game, they both had two walks and scored a run.
For her impressive performances, Goldman was awarded University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week honors for women’s softball pitcher. This was her fourth time to be awarded the weekly honor over the course of her career.
The Judges are set to play Anna Maria College on April 14, Fisher College on April 16 and Framingham State University on April 17.
