Since our last publication, the Judges’ baseball team has played eight games, including their home-opener on the Stein Diamond. All eight of these games but one were at home, in fact. Their current record is 8-10 with some exciting potential that is to be expected as the season continues to unfold.
In their first two games of this recap, they hosted the Colby College Mules for a home-opener doubleheader on Saturday, March 15. The Judges unfortunately lost both of these games, but the first was a close one score-wise. The Judges hit the first run of the game in the bottom of the first from an RBI single hit by Eddie Zanor (GRAD). After the Mules scored two runs in the top of the fifth, the Judges responded with another three runs, but unfortunately this was not enough for them to capture the win. These three runs were established from a two-run double by Mano Boutsikakis ’27, followed by a singled home run by Connor Crowley ’27. The game was tied 4-4 by the conclusion of the ninth inning, so the game went into extra innings. The Mules started off the frame with a run, making the score 5-4. Unfortunately, the Judges were not able to produce in the bottom of the tenth, letting the game end in a loss. Though the Judges lost, they should still be proud of the way they played defensively as they were able to hold the Mules’ 13 hits to just five runs.
Next, the Judges’ second game against Colby was not as evenly played. The Judges seemingly lost any momentum they had built up in the first game, and were unable to continue on to fight for the win in this game. That said, the Judges did not score a single run in this game, though they did have two hits.
The following day, the Judges hosted the Williams College Ephs. This was probably the most exciting game that the Judges have played yet as they closed it out with a walk-off home run from Dylan Walsh ’27. The game was a nailbiter all the way up until the final moments as both teams had 11 hits and zero errors. The Judges’ first runs came in the fifth inning when a pair were sent home to make the score 5-2, with the Judges still trailing by three. They kept the heat coming after the fifth as they went on to score one run in the seventh and three more in the bottom of the ninth. The third inning went down with Jake Freed (GRAD) drilling a line-drive into center field, tying the game at 5-all. After Boutsikakis moved Freed to second with a ground out, Dylan Walsh ’27 capitalized on the first pitch he saw, sealing the deal for the Judges to earn their first walk-off victory of the season.
Three days later, the Judges hosted the Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) Leopards for another game. This one was another exciting outing for the Judges as they earned the shutout with Andrew Tringe ’27 on the mound. This was his second-straight strong start. His six solid innings allowed the closers for the Judges to seal the deal fairly easily. Top performers in this game for the Judges in addition to Tringe were Ben Kuja ’28 in hitting with two hits and two runs, and Kieth Lee ’28 in fielding with 12 putouts and one assist.
This past weekend, the Judges hosted the US Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) Bears for another doubleheader. The Judges had a phenomenal day as they won both games. They won the first game 4-1 against the Bears, and the second game 3-2.
In the first game against the USCGA Bears, the Judges’ four runs were split between one in the second and three in the fifth. The Bears’ only run was earned in the top of the first inning. Leading the Judges in hitting was Henry Aronwald ’27 with two hits and two RBIs in three at-bats. In the field, Crowley ’27 and Lee ’28 tied for defensive player of the game as they both had six putouts in the field.
In their second game against the Bears, the Judges’ runs were earned in the second, seventh and eighth innings. Having the same number of hits as the Bears, the Judges squeaking out the 2-3 win was a great accomplishment.
With both of these wins against the USCGA, the Judges made their way back to .500 on the season.
Next, the Judges faced Wheaton College in a coaches-dual as the Wheaton College coach, Eric Pidbelski, and the Brandeis coach, Derek Carlson, both graduated from Brandeis in 1991. Unfortunately, the Judges were not able to come out on top as the Wheaton Lyons won 5-1, snapping the Judges’ five-game winning streak they held against the Lyons going into the game. This defeat stung for the Judges. The game being their first away game could have played a role in this loss. The Judges single run came in the seventh inning when Kuja ’28 delivered an RBI single up the middle with two outs. This drove in a run, but the Judges unfortunately left two men on base to conclude this inning.
In the Judges’ most recent game, they played against Lasell College in a friendly neighbor matchup this past Wednesday. Though, this matchup was ultimately not so friendly as the Judges lost 8-2 against the Lasell Lasers.
Looking ahead, the Judges will take another swing at improving their season record when the Judges face the University of Chicago for the first time since 1997. This matchup will start with a doubleheader on Friday, March 28. With this exciting matchup being at home, make sure to come out to support your Judges!
