Vaillette no-hitter leads softball to sweep of Framingham State

Vaillette no-hitter leads softball to sweep of Framingham State

WALTHAM, Mass. - Brandeis University junior pitcher Emily Vaillette (Milford, N.H./Milford) tossed the Judges' first no-hitter since 2006 today, leading her squad to a doubleheader sweep of Framingham State College. Brandeis won the opener, 8-1, before Vaillette held the Rams to just one batter over the minimum in game two.

Vaillette tossed the Judges' first no-hitter since a five-inning win over Wheelock College on March 11, 2006. It is their third no-hitter since 2003, and the first to go the full seven innings. Vaillette missed Brandeis's second-ever perfect game by one hitter, issuing a two-out walk in the bottom of the sixth inning. She struck out six FSC hitters, including fanning the side in third, and allowed just two balls out of the infield.

Brandeis's offense on the day was paced by the top of the line-up. The Judges' one through four hitters combined to go 13-for-28 with 11 RBI, eight runs scored, three doubles, a triple and three stolen bases in the two games. Sophomore 2B Melisa Cagar (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) was 4-7 with four runs scored and a steal out of the lead-off slot. Junior SS Chelsea Korp (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) was 2-7 with a triple and a team-high five RBI on the day, while classmate C Erin Ross (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) was 4-8 with two doubles and four RBI. A pair of rookie right-fielders, Lara Hirshler (Bellmore, N.Y./John F. Kennedy) and Samantha Gajewski (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) combined to go 3-6 with three runs scored.

Framingham State's lone run on the day was driven in the first game by rookie SS Christy Ulak (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth), who was 2-3 with a double. Senior Katelyn Pacheco (Acushnet, Mass./New Bedford) suffered the loss in the opener, while rookie Alysia Morrissette (Ware, Mass./Ware) was in the circle against Vaillette's no-no.

Brandeis improves to 11-9 with the sweep, while FSC falls to 3-17. The Judges are next in action on Sunday with two more contests against Bowdoin College.