WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University, playing at home for the first time since 2019, cut a five-run deficit to one in the late innings, but the Judges couldn't complete the comeback in an 8-7 loss to Johnson and Wales University today. Brandeis falls to 0-1 with the loss, while JWU improves to 3-2.
The Judges opened the scoring two batters into the season when senior Mike Khoury (East Bridgewater, Mass./East Bridgewater) drove a 3-2 pitch out of the park to right field. Khoury became the ninth player in Brandeis history with 15 career home runs with the blast.
JWU answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second, including a home run by Chris McAllister, but a bases-loaded walk to Brandeis's Sam Nugent (Mansfield, Mass. / Mansfield) tied the game at 2. The Wildcats scored twice in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead, but Brandeis senior Luke Hall (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown) pulled one over the fence in left to cut the lead to 4-3. It was Hall's fifth career round-tripper.
The visitors scored four more times in the sixth and seventh innings to go ahead, 8-3, but Brandeis rallied in the eighth. The Judges loaded the bases on an error and two walks, setting the stage for sophomore pinch hitter Steven Simon (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) to deliver a three-run double to left-centerfield on the first pitch served up by a JWU reliever. The RBI were the first three of Simon's career. Rookie Peter Fullerton (Palos Verdes, Calif. / Palos Verdes) singled next to put runners on the corners. After Johnson and Wales got two outs, a wild pitch allowed Simon to score and get Brandeis within one run.
The Judges would get no closer, however, with the JWU centerfielder making a terrific catch in the ninth to keep a runner out of scoring position.
Three Brandeis pitchers threw three innings apiece, with sophomore Asher Kaplan (Jamaica Plain, Mass./Boston Latin) shouldering the loss despite five strikeouts.
The same two teams will meet tomorrow at 11 a.m. for a doubleheader. The games can be streamed at www.brandeisjudges.com/sports/bsb/streaming.