WORCESTER, Mass. (from a Clark University press release) -- Rookie SS Brittany Grimm (Perkiomenville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) doubled in the game-winning runs in the top of the eighth inning today to give the Brandeis University softball team a 3-2 win over Clark University in the opener of a non-conference doubleheader. The Cougars avenged the loss with a 1-0 triumph in the nightcap, scoring only an unearned run in the first inning.
In the opener, the Cougars (4-12) broke a scoreless duel when
freshman Stefanie Kettenacker (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.) tripled to
right center to score junior Chelsea Proulx (Franklin, N.H.), who
walked to get on, in the fourth inning.
Brandeis (8-8) tied the game in the top of the sixth on
back-to-back errors from Clark. Rookie Samantha
Gajewski (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) reached on an infield
error and moved to second on the errant throw to open the inning.
Grimm followed with a hit that was misplayed by Clark’s
centerfielder, and Gajewski scored the game-tying run on the
play.
The Judges plated the eventual go-ahead run in the top of the
eighth. With one out and runners on second and third, Grimm smacked
a two-run double to left field to give Brandeis the 3-1 lead.
Clark got a run back in the bottom of the frame on junior Lauren
Blake’s (Oakland, Maine) RBI single, but after Maureen
Coakley’s (Worcester, Mass.) sacrifice bunt, Brandeis pitcher
Emily Vaillette (Milford, N.H./Milford) retired
the next two batters on a groundout and flyout to end the game and
pick up her fourth win of the spring.
Melissa Traft (Milford, Mass.) took the loss, allowing three runs
(one earned) on seven hits.
In game two, the Cougars only run came in the first inning.
Blake singled to left field to lead off, moved to second on a wild
pitch and third on a throwing error by the Brandeis catcher.
Following a groundout, Blake scored the game’s only run on
another wild pitch to give Clark the 1-0 advantage.
Brandeis threatened in the top of the second with one out and the
bases loaded. However, consecutive hits back to sophomore hurler
Sarah Carter (Worcester, Mass.), who threw out runners at home and
at second base, respectively, ended the inning.
Carter scattered five hits, fanned two and walked a pair to earn
her fourth victory of the season.
Blake led Clark with three hits in the win. Junior Chelsea
Korp (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) collected two hits for
Brandeis.
Rookie Caroline Miller (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./Harriton), who struck out
four and didn’t walk a batter, took the loss for Brandeis.
She drops to 4-2.
Brandeis is next in action Sunday at home against Bates College at 11 a.m. in a doubleheader originally scheduled to be played in Lewiston, Maine.