WALTHAM, Mass. – Suffolk University rookie 2B Jess Ferreira (Cambridge, Mass.) hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning today as the Rams edged the host Brandeis University Judges, 3-2, on Marcus Field.

Brandeis (12-16) jumped out on top of the contest in the bottom of the second inning. Rookie 3B Samantha Worth (Londonderry, N.H.) walked with two away and scored on a double to right-centerfield by sophomore CF Amelia Schimmel (Oakland, Calif.). Judge sophomore Kaitlin Streilein (Point Pleasant, N.J.) kept the Rams off the board in the early innings, stranding runners in four of the opening five frames, including a bases-loaded situation in the first.
Suffolk (18-5) finally broke through in the sixth, taking advantage of a pair of one-out walks. Senior 3B Ashleigh Belanger (Billerica, Mass.) doubled to right center to tie the game at 1-1. Streilein got out of the inning without further trouble, inducing a come-backer to the circle and getting the third out on a called third strike.

The Judges reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth. With one away, senior SS Mari Levine (Hopkinton, Mass.) hit a solo home run that stayed just fair down the left field line. It was Levine's second of the season and the third of her career.

The Rams wouldn't go away in the seventh. With one out, senior SS Angie Belanger (Poland Springs, Maine) got hit by a pitch, leading to Ferreira's blast to deep centerfield. It was her team-leading sixth round-tripper of the season. She was the Rams' only multiple hitter of the day, going 3-4 with the two RBI. Sophomore Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, Mass.) picked up the win to improve to 10-3 on the season. She allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out four.

For Brandeis, Schimmel had a 2-3 performance with a double and an RBI, while junior catcher Christina McWilliams (Billerica, Mass.) was also 2-3. Streilein and sophomore RF Natalie Volpe (Southington, Conn.) also had two-baggers for the Judges. Streilein suffered the loss, falling to 8-6 on the campaign. She allowed just five hits, but walked four and hit two batters.

Brandeis is next in action tomorrow at Bay Path College, while Suffolk takes on Emmanuel on Thursday.