BRISTOL, R.I. -- Brandeis sophomore Ryan Tettemer (Westfield, Mass./Suffield Acad.) had a career day, going 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, but the Judges couldn't hang on for a win, falling to Roger Williams University, 6-5, in a non-conference contest today.
RWU (9-16) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on RBI singles fromKevin Baker and Shawn Cargilio against rookie starter Sean O'Neill (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial). Brandeis (11-16) had base runners in each of the first four inning before breaking through in the fourth on a Ryan Healy (Carlsbad, Calif./La Costa Canyon) RBI, but a double play halted their momentum.
Judge relievers Anthony Nomakeo (Westfield, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon) and Ryan Pocock (Westford, Mass./Westford) kept the Hawks off the board through the next three innings before they scored single runs in the sixth and seventh. Catcher Chris Travers plated a run in the sixth on a single against sophomore Justin Freeman (Chelmsford, Mass./Brooks School) before junior Sam Miller (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) came on to get out of the frame. RWU got one off of Miller in the seventh on a Sean Gaffney triple - one of five hits on the day for the Hawks' leadoff hitter - followed by a sacrifice fly.
Brandeis was able to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the eighth against Roger Williams reliever Tyler Winters. Sophomore 3B Greg Heineman (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) led off with a single and moved all the way to third on a wild pitch. Senior 1B Kyle Brenner (Brookfield, Mass./St Peter Marian) followed with a double to get the Judges within one. Tettemer followed with his second home run of the season and his career, tying the game with one swing of the bat.
Roger Williams got some of those runs right back in the bottom of the frame, when Chris Travers slugged a two-run home run to put the hosts ahead, 6-4.
Brandeis put together another rally in the top of the ninth, coming with two outs. Heineman walked and was lifted for a pinch runner. Another walk, to Brenner, put two men on. Tettemer bounced one through the right side, plating junior Max Hart (Montville, Conn. / Montville) and bringing the Judges within one. A third walk in the inning, to senior pinch hitter Tom McCarthy (Yonkers, N.Y./Fieldston School), loaded the bases. Rookie pinch hitter Luke Zeccola (Garden City, N.Y. / Chaminade) followed and drove a pitch to right field, but Roger Williams' Caulin Rogers made a terrific diving catch to end the game and spoil the comeback bid.
Brandeis is back in action on Tuesday at Gordon College at 3:30 p.m.