WALTHAM, Mass.- This afternoon the Brandeis University baseball team split a double-header in non-conference play at Stein Diamond against Springfield College. Both contests featured excellent pitching as the Judges rallied to win game one 4-3 behind junior 1B Dan Gad (Mansfield, Mass./ Mansfield) before the Pride took the nightcap 3-0. Brandeis moves to 10-19 while Springfield goes to 12-17.
In the first contest, the Pride jumped on sophomore starter Kyle Brenner (Brookfield, Mass./ St. Peter-Marian) early, scoring two runs on four hits in the top of the first. The Judges got one back in the bottom of the frame when Gad doubled into the left-center field gap bringing senior left fielder Nick Cortese (Guaynabo, P.R./ Baldwin School of Puerto Rico) all the way home from first.
Springfield tacked another run on in the top of the fifth to go up 3-1 but Brandeis would respond in a big way. With one out in the bottom of the inning, junior 3B Dominic Schwartz (San Francisco, Calif./ Lowell) began the rally with an infield single. Sophomore SS Brian Allen (Salem, N.H./ Central Catholic) followed with a base knock to right field before senior catcher Chris Ferro (Walpole, Mass./ Walpole) snuck the ball between the first and second basemen to score Schwartz and make it a 3-2 game. After a Cortese ground out moved both runners into scoring position, Gad delivered. With two outs and an 0-1 count, Gad ripped the ball into right, scoring Allen and Ferro, to give the Judges their first lead of the game at 4-3.
Brandeis would hold on as Brenner (2-5) finished off the complete game for the narrow victory. He hurled seven strong innings allowing three earned runs on 11 hits while walking one and striking out five. The Judges had three batters with multiple hits. Gad led the way going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Ferro was also 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI while Schwartz went 2-for-3 with a run.
Springfield featured four players with two hits. Sophomore SS Shane O'Leary (Kings Park, N.Y./ Kings Park) and junior 3B Frank Calabrese (E. Longmeadow, Mass./ E. Longmeadow) each went 2-for-4 with a run while junior 1B Mike McGowan (Franklin, Mass./ Franklin) and sophomore left fielder Brent Poulin (Atascadero, Calif./ Cuesta CC) both went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sophomore starter Oliver Collette (Spencer, Mass./ St. John's) fell to 2-1 on the year after 5 2/3 innings where he allowed four runs on 10 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
In the second game, Brandeis found themselves in a pitchers' duel. Senior starter Mike Swerdloff (Scarsdale, N.Y./ Ardsley) was excellent through seven innings but the Pride's senior starter Greg Marakovits (Rocky Hill, Conn./ Stonehill) was just a little better. Swerdloff (2-5) scattered nine hits over his complete game while allowing three runs (two earned) with one walk and six strikeouts. Unfortunately, Marakovits (1-4) was masterful in his seven innings of work allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out four in his complete game shutout. Runs in the first, third, and fifth would be all Springfield would need in the 3-0 victory.
The Judges were led offensively by Ferro and sophomore 2B Tom McCarthy (Yonkers, N.Y./ Fieldston School) who each recorded a base knock.
The Pride were led by Poulin who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs while O'Leary went 2-for-3 with a run scored and junior DH Matt Artigliere (Washington, N.J./ Warren Hills) went 2-for-3 with a double.
Brandeis returns to action on Wednesday April 24th at Bowdoin with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Springfield returns home to face Amherst on Monday April 22nd at 4:00 p.m.