Simon and Garfunkel once sang that home is where loves lies waiting silently for me. They certainly didnt have the Brandeis softball in mind as they have dropped two straight at home to Wellesley and Lasell by a combined total of 11 runs. Adding to the futility is that the softball team has to their creditzero runs and are now stuck in a six game losing streak.
The most recent extension came at the hands of the Lasell Lasers, getting drubbed 9-0. Starter Natalie Volpe 08 went the distance, going seven strong for the Judges but the team had no answer to the Lasers rookie hurler Nicole Slader who no-hit the Judges through four innings until rookie Allie Mussen 10 broke it with a single. The only other hit would come from team captain Christina McWilliams 07 with a pinch-hit single in the last frame.
Lasell got the offense going in the top of the first with a 2-run single by Katyln Billian and were largely held in check until they pushed one run in the sixth and then exploded with two-run and three-run homers, leaving the score as was: 9-0.
We have been working on our hitting a lot, McWilliams explained, to the point where I think we over-analyze our at bats and we therefore struggle, it can be a vicious cycle. Today we faced a slow pitcher and we were anxious, which does not make for the best combination.
Prior to this game, Brandeis inaugurated their home opener, their first under Coach Jessica Johnson with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Wellesley. Their first game in ten days, they had the misfortune to face fireballer Jenna Harvey who threw a two-hit shut out before giving up the mound to Kristie Gola who picked up the save. Harvey also racked up 12 strike outs and no walks.
Brandeis on the other hand saw Kaitlin Streilein 08 throw a complete game, scattering eight hits and surrendering only two runs from an RBI double in the first and an RBI single in the sixth. Picking up the two hits for the Judges were Chelsea Korp 10 and Natalie Volpe 08. Brandeis was also not helped by their four errors, two of which came from McWilliams.
Despite the struggles, which have now dropped the Judges to 2-8 on the season, McWilliams was succinct about what the Judges needed, We simply need the hitting to come around. Once the hitting comes it is usually contagious.
Brandeis continues their homestand with Worcester State this afternoon (3/29), St. Josephs (ME) on March 30, Husson College on April 1 and conclude the home stretch hosting Emerson on April 4.
Obviously, this is a long, winding road but there is hope for there is nowhere to go but up and most important, you cant score less than zero.
