Before the break, captain Cristina McWilliams stated that the offense got going that people would see a different Brandeis softball team. Those were not her words exactly but after the break, it is clear that this team is not to be underestimated after their latest victory, a double header sweep against UMass-Boston by lopsided totals of 11-3 in game one and 9-1 in the second game.
Game one saw Brandeis quickly jumped all over UMasss unfortunate starter Katherine Wall as they quickly racked up nine runs in the first inning and never looked back. The lead was fueled by home runs from rookie catcher Erin Ross 10 (three-run shot to center) and first baseman Kaitlin Streilein 07 (two run blast to left center). Streilein later padded the lead with another two-run home run in the game, giving her six for the season.
With a big lead to pad her, pitcher Allie Musson 10 was able to have an easy start as she cruised for a complete game (five innings) picking up four strikeouts and surrendering only seven hits and three runs, one of which was earned. Musson also had no walks in the game.
UMass was able to get on the board quickly in part two of the double header but Brandeis responded with four runs of their own in the first inning and once again, never looked back. Third baseman Samantha Worth 09 drove in two runs that inning on a bases-loaded single. Two run home runs from Danielle Mayer 08 in the fourth inning and Natalie Volpe 08 put the game out of reach.
Rookie hurler Emily Vaillette 10 threw a complete six inning game, giving up only four hits and one run while picking up five strikeouts for the win.
The offensive explosion from the Judges came back on April 10 where after nursing their wounds from a 7-1 bashing by Suffolk back on the ninth, Brandeis surprised MIT by never letting go and pummeling them in a 14-1 massacre. Three Judges: Chelsea Korp 10, Streilein, and Volpe had home runs and the team batted around in the first and fourth innings. Volpe pitched a complete game, only coughing up one run, three hits and mowed MIT for six strike outs.
In the beginning, they kind of jumped on me, they were ready to hit. Once we found out where they like to hit the ball, we started throwing some off-speed stuff Volpe explained. The coach [Jessica Johnson] said that she thinks there was a scouting on us saying that we had difficulties hitting slower pitchers and I believe Coach said that was their fourth string pitcher. In the past, we have struggled with slower pitching but today we were coming out, we were gunning for MIT after our loss yesterday and it really showed.
With 12 wins in their last 15 games, softball is now over the hump with a 14-11 mark but the season is far from over for Coach Johnsons Judges. Nonetheless, with their toughest competition having been the UAAs back in March and their recent offensive outburst, it is clear that this team is not to be underestimated. MIT did and they got scorched. Is this the real team or is it a hot streak that masks the deficiencies that saw them drop six straight at one point. Only time and permitting weather conditions will allow us to answer that question.
