WALTHAM, Mass.- The Brandeis University softball team cruised to two five-inning victories over visiting Suffolk University, 10-2 & 8-0 on Marcus Field. The Judges complete their season at 18-14 while the Rams fall to 24-14.
Junior Madison Sullivan (Dover, N.H./Dover) was the story of the afternoon as she powered Brandeis with a 4-for-6 performance including four runs, nine RBI, and two home runs.
In game one, the Judges got off to a quick start thanks to an RBI single from senior Cori Coleman (Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale South) followed by a two RBI base knock off the bat of rookie Amanda Shore (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty).
Brandeis would build on their early 3-0 advantage the very next inning when an RBI double by senior Anya Kamber (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline) and a three-run blast from Sullivan broke the game open.
Suffolk got two runs back in the top of the third when sophomore Kristen Young (Windsor, Conn./Northwest Catholic) and rookie Devlin Frost (Tewksbury, Mass./Central Catholic) provided back-to-back hits with runners in scoring position.
The Judges responded by tacking on three more in the bottom of the fourth and sophomore reliever Melissa Soleimani (Somerset, Mass./Somerset Berkley Reg.) sat the visitors down in order to close out the 10-2 victory.
Senior starter Nikki Cote (Shelton, Conn./St. Joseph's) improved to 6-1 with four innings of two run ball while walking none and striking out four. The Rams rookie starter Ali Yamakaitis (Avenel, N.J./Wardlaw-Hartridge) took the loss as she allowed seven runs (four earned) in four innings of work.
In game two, Brandeis got off to another quick start as Sullivan blasted her second three-run shot of the afternoon in the bottom of the first.
The Judges doubled their lead in the bottom of the second and tacked on another run in the fourth to take a 7-0 advantage into the bottom half of the fifth.
With two outs and runners on first and second, sophomore Leah Shapiro (Beverly Hills, Calif./Beverly Hills) ripped a single past the third baseman and down the left field line to give Brandeis an 8-0 win.
Sullivan led Brandeis with five RBI while Shapiro was 4-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and two doubles. Sophomore starter Samantha Wroblewski (Delray Beach, Fla./Spanish River) earned the win as she scattered five hits over her complete game shutout while walking none and fanning three.
Five different Suffolk players recorded a hit. Rookie starter Kathleen Slavin (Rocky Hill, Conn./Rocky Hill) took the loss after three innings of work.