WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After averaging 11.5 runs over their first four contests, the Brandeis softball team's offense was unable to solve the host Salem (N.C.) College pitching staff today as the Judges fell to the Spirits, 2-1 in eight innings in the opener and 8-0 in six frames in the second game of a doubleheader today. The Judges complete their trip to North Carolina with a 3-3 record, while Salem improves to 5-3 on the campaign.
In the first game, the Judges and Spirits were both held scoreless through seven innings. Brandeis sophomore Scottie Todd (Tampa, Fla./Strawberry Crest) gave up seven hits through the first seven, while SC's Brianna Morris allowed just five hits in that span. In the top of the eighth, Salem's Kayla Ogle struck out the first hitter she faced, but rookie SS Jolie Fujita (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School) singled home the runner placed at second for the international tiebreaker. After a walk put two runners on, Ogle got a fly out and another K to shut the door.
In the bottom of the eighth, the placed runner was bunted to second. Spirit leftfielder Miranda Barker doubled home the tying run, then scored two batters later on a single by starting pitcher Morris.
In game two, the Judges were held to just two hits in six innings by Barker, who fanned nine and walked three for the shutout. Salem got all the scoring they would need with two unearned runs in the fourth inning, then ended the game early with six runs on five hits and three walks in the sixth inning. Sophomore Callie MacDonald (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) suffered the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season, while Barker improved to 2-0 for Salem.
Brandeis's top offensive performers on the day were senior 1B Amanda Shore (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), who was 3-4 with a walk, and Fujita, who was 2-6 with an RBI and a double. Barker had a terrific all-around day for Salem, going 4-8 with 3 RBI and 2 doubles while picking up the shutout in the circle in game 2.
Brandeis is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, March 6, with a single game at Framingham State at 3 p.m. The Judges make their home debut on Saturday, March 17 against Clark University at noon.