BRISTOL, R.I. -- The Brandeis University softball team, seeded sixth, fell to #5 Western New England College in an elimination game of the ECAC Division III New England tournament today. The Judges wrap up the second-winningest season in school history in their first with a 23-21 record.

Brandeis scored a run in the top of the first inning when senior CF Marissa Rubin (Teaneck, N.J.) created a run. She singled, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. After junior 1B Kaitlin Streilein (Point Pleasant, N.J.) walked, the duo executed a double steal to give the Judges a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, the Brandeis defense, which had been stellar in the Judges' two tournament wins, struggled. Brandeis committed four errors which led to five unearned runs for the Golden Bears. Rookie RF Christina Farese had an RBI double in the frame to lead WNEC (31-17). The Bears added three runs in the bottom of the second. Junior DP Stephanie Ganser drove in a run with a double, while a two-run home run by senior 1B Jess Nelson chased Brandeis rookie Emily Vaillette (Milford, N.H.) from the game.

The Judges added a run in the on an RBI single in the fifth inning by rookie SS Chelsea Korp (Worcester, Mass.). Streilein held the Bears off the scoreboard with 4.1 innings of shutout relief, but it wasn't enough for Brandeis to rally for victory.

WNEC ended up dropping the championship game to Western Connecticut State University, 7-1.