WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Junior catcher Keri Lehtonen (Oneco, Conn./Plainfield) went 4-5 and drove in a career-high six runs – one shy of the school record today to lead the Brandeis University softball team to an 11-5 win over Frostburg (Md.) State University in their season-opener at Salem College. The Judges moved to 1-0 on the season, while the Bobcats fell to 0-1.
After being retired in her first plate appearance of the game, lead-off batter Lehtonen had hits in her next four. In the third inning, she cleared the bases with a triple to drive in her first three runs. She added an RBI single in the fifth and a two-run hit in the sixth inning.
The Judges scored twice in the first inning on a two-run double by junior LF Marissa DeLaurentis (Centereach, N.Y./St John the Baptist Diocesan). Frostburg State answered in the top of the second with an Allison Short RBI single and a passed ball that tied the game.
Brandeis untied the contest with four runs in the bottom of the third. Sophomore 3B P.J. Ross (Kingston, N.H./Sanborn Regional) led off the frame with her first home run of the season and the third of her career. The Judges loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, setting up Lehtonen's bases-clearing three-bagger.
Lehtonen and rookie CF Melissa Rothenberg (Lawrenceville, N.J. / Lawrence) both had RBI singles in the fifth and sixth innings to help lift the Judges to their 11-run total. The run support was more than enough for sophomore Scottie Todd (Tampa, Fla./Strawberry Crest), who earned her first win after allowing 12 hits and five runs (four earned), striking out six and walking four.
In addition to Lehtonen's big day, which was one shy of the school record for RBI in a game, DeLaurentis finished 3-4 with a double and two RBI. Rothenberg was 2-4 with a run scored, two RBI and two stolen bases in her collegiate debut, while sophomore 2B Brianna Urena (Somerset, Mass. / Somerset Berkley Regional) reached base in all four plate appearances, going 2-2 with two walks and a team-high three runs scored.
The Judges also defeated Southern Virginia University, 18-9, on the day. The statistics for that game are not currently available.
Brandeis is back in action tomorrow with another game against FSU and one against Shenandoah College.