WALTHAM, Mass.- The Brandeis softball team rallied from a six run deficit in the sixth inning but fell in the bottom of the seventh, 8-7, in a University Athletic Association (UAA) matchup with the University of Rochester. The numbers two through four hitters in the Judges lineup had a terrific afternoon hitting a combined 5-12 with a walk, four runs scored, and four RBI. After a rocky 3.1 innings from senior starter Caroline Miller (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./ Harriton), Brandeis rebounded with a six-run sixth to tie the game but lost on a wild pitch in the seventh. The Judges fell to 2-4 (2-4 UAA) while the Yellowjackets improved to 4-6 (3-4 UAA).
After a rocky start that resulted in a 7-1 deficit after four innings, Brandeis rallied behind strong relief pitching from sophomore Melissa Nolan (Windsor, Conn./ Loomis Chaffee) and clutch hitting from the middle of their lineup. After two straight outs to start the top of the sixth, the Judges began their rally with a walk by senior LF Megan DeNubila (Princeton, Mass./ Wachusett Reg.). Brandeis made it 7-2 three batters later when RF Amanda Genovese (No. Haven, Conn./ No. Haven) worked a bases loaded walk, scoring DeNubila. Next up was senior 1B Marianne Specker (So. Windsor, Conn./ Westminster School) who reached on an error, scoring sophomore 2B Leah McWilliams (Billerica, Mass./ Billerica Memorial). Immediately following that run, rookie 3B Anya Kamber (Sammamish, Wash./ Skyline) stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch two-RBI single that cut the lead in half and made it just 7-5. Finally, two batters later with the bases loaded again, Miller complete the rally with a two-RBI single of her own to bring the Judges all the way back and tie the game at 7-7. Unfortunately, in the bottom of the seventh inning, with two outs and a runner on third, a wild pitch by Nolan resulted in the winning run for Rochester.
Genovese, Specker, and senior CF Lauren Porcaro (Shrewsbury, Mass./ Shrewsbury) led the team with two hits each while Genovese led the team with two runs. Kamber and Miller led the Judges with two RBI apiece. Nolan had her second straight strong outing despite conceding the winning run, going 3.1 innings with one walk and three strikeouts while allowing just one run on three hits.
Brandeis will finish off their trip to Florida and the UAA Tournament with a doubleheader on March 17th against Case Western Reserve at 10:00 a.m. and Washington University (Mo.) at 12:30 p.m.