WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University senior pitcher Kaitlin Streilein (Point Pleasant, N.J.) earned her 19th win of the season and scored both of her team's runs as the top-seeded Judges eliminated visiting eighth-seed Emerson College, 2-1, in the first round of the ECAC Division III New England Softball Tournament. The Judges will now host the double-elimination portion of the tournament on Saturday and Sunday. They take on Western New England College at 10:00 a.m. on May 10.

Brandeis (35-9-1) extended its winningest season ever by coming from behind. After Streilein faced the minimum through three innings, Emerson (23-17) got her in trouble in the fourth. The Lions loaded the bases with no out on an error and singles by senior CF Mallory Moretti (Westerly, R.I.) and senior 3B Lindsay DeStefano (Gloucester, R.I.). With the infield in, the Judges cut down the first run at the plate, but sophomore RF Bridget Farago (Oneonta, N.Y.) singled to plate Moretti and give the visitors the lead. Streilein escaped further damage as the Judges got a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning.

Streilein got the run back in the bottom of the fourth on her own by stroking her eighth home run of the season to lead off the frame. Brandeis put two runners on in the fifth to no avail, but they scored the game-winner in the next frame.

In the sixth, Streilein singled to lead off the inning. After Emerson junior hurler Angela Jorgenson (Dayton, Iowa) got the first out on a pop-up, Judge sophomore catcher Erin Ross (Manalapan, N.J.) stroked 12th double of the season to centerfield to provide the winning run. The Lions got their only hit of the lat innings on a Farago single in the seventh, but no other balls left the infield, and Streilein picked up her fifth strikeout of the game to end the contest.

Streilein improved to 19-3 on the season with her 15th complete game. She struck out five and walked none, allowing just five hits, one after the fourth inning. At the plate, Streilein was 2-3 with two runs scored, an RBI and a home run. Ross's double was the only other extra-base hit of the contest.

For Emerson, Jorgenson allowed just six hits and two runs in six innings of work. She struck out two and walked one, falling to 12-5 on the season. Farago was the only multiple hitter for the Lions, going 2-3 with an RBI.