WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Brandeis University baseball team scored in double figures for the second game in a row today as the Judges defeated Bates College, 11-5, at Chain-O-Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida, as part of the RussMatt Invitational. The Judges improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Bobcats fall to 1-1.
For the second game in a row, the Judges scored runs in more than half of their at-bats, crossing the plate in six of nine innings. Rookie left fielder Sam Nugent (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) set the table out of the leadoff slot, going 5-5 with three runs scored, one RBI and a stolen base. Senior second baseman Victor Oppenheimer (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade) had a big day at the plate as well, going 3-5 with three RBI, two doubles and a run scored. Oppenheimer had a two-run double in the third inning that provided the game-winning runs, and added an RBI two-bagger in the fifth. Brandeis also got a big blow from junior catcher Luke Hall (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown), who hit his second career home run in the first inning, a two-run shot that gave the Judges a 3-0 lead.
On the mound, the Judges got an excellent combined pitching performance, allowing just five runs (four earned) on four hits with 11 strikeouts. Senior Tim Lopez (Brooklyn, N.Y. / East Side Community) tied his career-high with eight Ks over five innings, including five in the first two innings. He did walk four and allowed a runner to reach on a wild pitch, helping the Bobcats scored two runs on just one hit in the first inning. Lopez did not allow a hit after that first frame as he earned his first win of the season. Sophomore Mark Maestri (Katonah, N.Y. / Somers) pitched 1.2 inning, struck out one and gave up three runs on three hits, including a two-run home run to Bates's Henry Jamieson. Rookie Christian Tejada (Providence, R.I. / Bishop Hendricken) closed the game out with 2.1 innings of one-hit ball, fanning two.
Jamieson was Bates's only multiple hitter, going 2-5 with two RBI, a run scored and his home run. Matt Spind allowed eight hits and seven earned runs in five innings to take the loss.
Brandeis and Bates will meet again on Thursday. The Judges take on Elmira College for the second time tomorrow at 1 p.m.