Since our last publication, the Judges’ baseball season has gotten into full swing (pun intended). They have already played six games after returning home from their trip down south over the February vacation. Over the six games we will cover in this article, they won three and lost three, splitting the games. Most recently, the Judges faced the Keene State College Owls at Waltham High School while the Judges’ diamond gets prepared for the season ahead, thanks to the fantastic grounds crew.
To get right into things, the Judges had their first game around home this season on Saturday, March 1 against the Amherst College Mammoths. This game was held close to home at Waltham High School while the Judges’ home field was still being prepared for the season to come. The Judges scored the first run in the second with a triple from Danny Tambascia ’28 which drove Kieth Lee ’28 home. The Mammoths went on to score two runs in the third to take the lead, though that did not last long as the Judges had two two-run innings in the fourth and sixth innings. The first of these four runs was off of a fielder’s choice by Tambascia ’28 yet again. This time he drove Dylan Walsh ’27 home. Then Mano Boutsikakis ’27 doubled, sending Tambascia ’28 home for the Judges’ third run of the day. In the following inning, Jake Freed (GRAD) grounded into a double play which allowed Eddie Zanor (GRAD) to score a run for the Judges. Then later on in the fifth, Lee ’28 homered to make the score 2-5, Brandeis. This was his second-ever hit in a Brandeis uniform. The Judges’ final run of the game was off of a hit from Freed (GRAD) that sent Henry Aronwald ’27 home. The Judges tied with Amherst in hits, each with 11. However, the Judges did not have a single error in this game.
The following Tuesday, March 4, the Judges traveled to Hartford, Connecticut to play Trinity College. This game was a bit of a different story for the Judges, who came back from behind, and then gave up a run in the ninth inning, which cost them the game. They ended up losing to Trinity 6-7 in a tough loss. The Judges were led by Zanor (GRAD) who had three hits and five RBIs during this game. He was followed by Connor Crowley ’27 and Ben Kuja ’28, who each had two hits but no RBIs.
The next day, the Judges faced the neighboring Tufts University Jumbos in Medford, Massachusetts. This was the Judges’ lowest scoring game as of late as they were beaten 2-0 by the Jumbos. Though they lost, the Judges’ pitchers had a great game holding the tenacious Jumbos to just two runs during this game. Zanor (GRAD), Jansen Landen ’27 and Kyle Murray ’27 were on the mound for the Judges this game.
Coming off of two tough losses and five days to go back to the grindstone, the Judges returned to play to face the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) and they certainly did not disappoint. The Judges won the two games they played that day with scores of 24-7 and 18-3, which tied the team’s school record for runs scored in a doubleheader. Rewriting the record books this early into the season is something remarkable that the Judges’ baseball team should be tremendously proud of. This is a solid marker for the potential that the rest of their season may hold.
In the Judges’ first game of two against the MMA, Kuja ’28 led the Judges in hits with four while Tambascia led in RBIs with four. In game two of the day, Zanor (GRAD) led the Judges in hits and RBIs with two and five, respectively.
The winning pitchers from this doubleheader were Chris Lowe (GRAD) and Rohan Shah ’28. Lowe struck out five in the four innings he pitched while Shah struck out seven and walked one in the five innings he pitched.
In the Judges’ most recent game, they faced the Keene State College Owls in a tough pitchers’ duel, leaving the Judges defeated 3-1. The teams combined for 19 hits during this game, but only came away with a collective four runs. This is a perfect example of how unpredictable the game of baseball can be. Even when the bats are hot, the defense can step up and counteract anything that may go on at the plate.
Looking ahead, the Judges hope to host their home-opener this Saturday at the Stein Diamond, given the field is in proper condition. Nonetheless, the Judges will be hosting Colby College somewhere in Waltham for a doubleheader starting at noon. Go Judges!
