Salem, MA (taken from a Salem State press release) -- The Salem State Lady Vikings and Brandeis University Judges split a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. Salem State lost game one, 11-6 in 11 innings, but the Lady Vikings rebounded with a 5-4 win in game two.
In game one, Brandeis starter Caroline Miller (Bala Cynwyd, PA) went the distance, pitching a complete game to help the Judges defeat Salem State 11-6 in 11 innings. Miller also got it done with her bat adding two hits and two RBI's.
The Lady Vikings would open up the scoring in the first inning with a lead-off double by senior shortstop Michelle Grifoni (Peabody, MA). Grifoni would later score on an RBI single by freshman third baseman Jenn Toussiant (Reading, PA).
Brandeis would answer right back as Miller led off the top of the second inning with a solo home run. Salem would once again reclaim the lead in the bottom of the second. Junior centerfielder Sarah Bergeron (Methuen, MA) hit a run-scoring double and scored on an RBI single by designated player sophomore Jeanette Doucette (Andover, MA).
Brandeis would use a Salem error and a single by freshman right fielder Amanda Genovese (North Haven, CT) to take a 3-2 lead in the top of third. Salem would once again tie the score in the bottom half on singles by Toussaint and sophomore left fielder Lauren DiCredico (Tewksbury, MA)
A lead-off double by Grifoni followed by back-to-back sacrifices and an RBI single from second baseman Lauren Garchinsky (Saugus, MA) would give the Lady Vikings the lead back at 4-3.
Brandeis would eventually tie the game at four in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI triple from Miller.
Brandeis finally got to Salem State starter Katelynn Fanning (East Boston, MA) in the 11th, scoring five times to grab an 11-6 lead. After a single and walk produced a run on a wild pitch, Nicole Wilson replaced Fanning with one out. However, with the bases loaded Wilson walked in another run and then gave up a two-run single to Brittany Grimm (Perkiomenville, PA). Marianne Specker (South Windsor, CT) added another score with a base hit and the Judges ended the inning with a five-run lead.
Miller allowed six runs, four earned runs, seven hits, and had three strikeouts in the victory. The Lady Vikings received a gutsy performance from Fanning, who pitched 10 1/3 innings, and gave up 10 runs on eight hits to go with 13 strikeouts. Nicole Wilson (Peabody, MA) went two thirds of
an inning and allowed two hits and one run.
Grimm had a big day at the plate, going 4-6 with three RBIs. Grifoni added a double and three runs scored for the Lady Vikings.
In game two, Grifoni smacked a one-out base hit up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Salem State a 5-4 victory over Brandeis.
Bergeron led off the seventh inning with a walk and following a sacrifice bunt, stole third. Doucette walked to put runners on first and third and Grifoni followed with the game-winning hit.
Brandeis jumped on top 1-0 in the first as Grimm doubled in the opening frame and would score on an RBI single from freshman third baseman Anya Kamber (Sammamish,WA). Salem answered right back with two runs of their own as senior catcher Gabbie Vitale (Danvers, MA) led off with a single, and was followed by a single from Toussaint. Garchinsky would later connect for a two-run base hit to give the Lady Vikings a 2-1 lead.
Salem would add to their lead in the bottom of the third as Toussaint hit another single and was brought home on a DiCredico RBI single.
Brandeis drew to within 3-2 after a triple from senior centerfielder Lauren Pocaro (Shrewsbury, MA), led to a sacrifice from junior leftfielder Megan DeNubila.
Salem would take a 4-2 lead on a RBI double from junior first baseman Christina Cipriani (Peabody, MA) in the bottom of the fifth. However, Brandeis answered in the top of the sixth with two runs to tie the game. After three consecutive singles loaded the bases, Specker delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 4-4.
Alyssa Bryan (Stoneham, MA) earned the win after allowing four earned runs on 11 hits and two strikeouts in a complete-game effort. Casey Ducinski (Duxbury, MA) also went seven innings for the Judges and allowed five runs on 13 hits with four strikeouts.
Grifoni finished 3-for-5 while Toussaint went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for Salem State. Brandeis was led by Anya Kamber (Sammamish, Wash), who went 3-for-4 and Grimm, who had a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a double.