April 11, 2016 CONTACT: Adam Levin, SID
Ph: 781-736-3631
E-mail: aslevin@brandeis.edu
NCAA SOFTBALL: Babson 4, Brandeis 2
WALTHAM, Mass. – Despite a terrific all-around performance from sophomore centerfielder Amanda Shore (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) the Brandeis University softball team suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of visiting Babson College on Marcus Field today. The Judges, who were in action for the first time in 10 days, fall to 11-11 on the season. The Beavers, who earned head coach Dave Canan his 400th career win, improve to 15-10.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Brandeis survived three Babson hits and a walk in the first inning as Shore made her first defensive gem, throwing out a runner at the plate from center field.
- Babson senior CF Maya Lacy (East Mill Creek, Utah/Skyline) opened the scoring in the second when she led off with a bloop single, stole second and third and scored when the attempt to catch her at third went into the outfield.
- The Beavers added two runs in the top of the third on back-to-back solo home runs by junior Leslie Moore (Atkinson, N.H./Central Catholic) and senior Caitie Benoit (Williamstown, Mass./Mount Greylock).
- In the bottom of the fifth, Shore hit her first home run of the season and the fifth of her career with one out to get the Judges on the board.
- Three batters later, senior 2B Madison Gagnon (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake) doubled home rookie SS Keri Lehtonen (Oneco, Conn./Plainfield) to make it a 3-2 deficit.
- Shore had another fine defensive play in the top of the sixth. With a runner on second and one out, a Babson hit-and-run was popped to center. Shore made the catch and sprinted to an uncovered second base to register the unassisted double play.
- The Beavers added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an Ashley Tango (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial) RBI double with two outs.
- Babson got the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh, including a nice diving catch by Moore.
- Lehtonen singled through the left side and junior Leah Shapiro (Beverly Hills, Calif./Beverly Hills) pulled one to right to bring the tying run to the plate, but Beaver senior Madison Dinaso (Ardsley, N.Y./Ardsley) got a called third strike to end the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE - BRANDEIS
- Lehtonen went 3-4 with a run scored to raise her season average to a team-leading .461.
- Gagnon was 2-4 with a double and an RBI as the Judges' only other multiple hitter.
- Senior Danielle Novotny (Milford, N.J./Delaware Valley) also doubled.
- Shore finished 1-3 with an RBI and the home run to go along with her two defensive gems.
- Junior Melissa Soleimani (Somerset, Mass./Somerset Berkley Regional) took the loss with three innings pitched, allowing eight hits and three earned runs. She falls to 6-7 on the season.
- Sophomore Sadie-Rose Apfel (Stamford, Conn./Westhill) threw four innings of five-hit relief, allowing one earned run.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE – BABSON
- Moore and Benoit had identical stat-lines, going 3-4 with a home run.
- Lacy finished 3-3 with a pair of stolen bases and a double.
- Dinaso improved to 3-1 in the circle this season going the distance, giving up nine hits and two earned runs. She struck out three and did not walk a batter.
UP NEXT
- The teams are slated to meet again tomorrow at 4 p.m.
For more information on Brandeis Athletics, please visit brandeisjudges.com or follow us on Twitter or Instagram @brandeisjudges, or follow us on Facebook.
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