WELLESLEY, Mass. (courtesy Wellesley Sports Information) — Playing for the first time in two weeks and making their New England debut after multiple postponements this spring due to the linger effects of an historic winter in New England, the Brandeis softball team dropped a pair of decisions to Wellesley College on the road. The Blue rallied for three runs in the bottom of sixth inning to take a 3-2 victory in game one before again three runs in the sixth innings of game two to earn a 7-4 victory. The Judges fall to 6-9 on the season, while Wellesley improves to 6-4.
Game One: Wellesley 3, Brandeis 2
The Judges got on the board early in game one, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when senior Anya Kamber (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) doubled to right field to score Amanda Genovese (North Haven, Conn./North Haven). Genovese, who led-off the game with a single, was the only Brandeis player to record two hits in game one.
Brandeis tacked on another run in the top of the third inning, following a lead off double by Danielle Novotny (Milford, N.J./Delaware Valley). Genovese then reached on a single, allowing Novotny to advance to third before scoring on a double steal of second and home.
With the Judges leading 2-0, the game advanced to the sixth inning before the Blue bats came to life. Wellesley pushed across three runs on four hits, with the big hit coming off the bat of Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.), as the sophomore powered a two-out double into centerfield to score Anna Pisac (Snohomish, Wa.) and Maria LaBoyer (Yuba City, Calif.). Pisac also drove in a run earlier in the inning, scoring first-year Amanda Manning (Durham, Calif.) after Manning reached base on a bunt single with one out to start the rally.
First-year Julia Warner (Kenmore, Wa.) went the distance in the circle, striking out five for Wellesley to earn her first collegiate victory. Brandeis sophomore Samantha Wroblewski (Delray Beach, Fla./Spanish River) pitched six innings, only surrendering the three runs in the sixth, in the loss.
Game Two: Wellesley 7, Brandeis 4
Just like in game one, Brandeis got on the board first in game two, as Genovese scored on a wild pitch after opening the game with a double to left and advancing to third on a passed ball. Brandeis would add two more hits in the top of the inning but were unable to add to their lead as Warner worked her way out of the early jam.
Following a pair of scoreless frames in the second and third, Wellesley took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Blue pushed across a pair of runs thanks to three consecutive doubles from from Pisac, senior Emilyrose Havrilla (Caldwell, N.J.), and junior Carly Bresee (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.).
Genovese again factored into the scoring for Brandeis as the Judges tied the score in the top of the fifth. The Brandeis centerfield opened the inning with a one-out bunt single before stealing second and scoring just one batter later when sophomore Leah Shapiro (Beverly Hills, Calif./Beverly Hills) cracked a double to centerfield. Genovese's second stolen base of the day was the 113th of her career, moving her into 20th place on Division III's all-time list.
With the score knotted at 2-all to open the bottom of the fifth inning, Kendra Coleman drew a one-out walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. LaBoyer and Pisac then hit back-to-back doubles, as LaBoyer drove home Coleman before Pisac brought LaBoyer around to give the Blue a 4-2 advantage.
Senior Cori Coleman (Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale South) provided a quick response to lead off the top of the sixth inning, hitting her second home run of the season to cut the score to 4-3. It was the seventh round-tripper of her career. The Judges would tie the game later in the inning as Novotny singled to right to score junior Madison Gagnon (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake) after the Brandeis junior had reached on an error.
With the score tied at 4-4, the Blue turned in their second three-run sixth inning of the afternoon to capture the 7-4 victory. Bresse opened the inning with a walk, before Phillips reached on a fielders choice. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt before Jaclyn Tsang (Manalapan, N.J.) singled to score first year Ines Borromeo (Muntinlupa, Philippines), who had come on as a pinch runner for Bresee. Manning and LaBoyer then delivered back-to-back RBI singles, as Philips and Tsang both scored to give Wellesley the 7-4 advantage.
In the top of the seventh, Warner worked her way around a pair of one-out singles to close out her second victory of the day. Brandeis sophomore Melissa Soleimani (Somerset, Mass./Somerset Berkley Regional) picked up the loss, dropping to 2-1 after pitching a pair of innings in relief of starter Nikki Cote (Shelton, Conn./St. Joseph's).
Wellesley will open New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Saturday with a doubleheader against Smith beginning at 12:00 PM at the Wellesley Outdoor Fields Complex. Brandeis will play at Bates tomorrow at 3:30 PM in a doubleheader rescheduled from earlier this season.