WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University softball team dropped a pair of University Athletic Association games to #20 Emory on Friday, by scores of 2-0 and 10-1. The Judges fell to 5-11 (0-6 UAA), while the Eagles improved to 19-7 (10-0 UAA).

HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1 (Emory, 2-0)

• As the score indicates, this was a pitcher's duel from start to finish. Emory pitcher Jacqueline Spizizen dominated; she was perfect through 4.2 innings, before opposing hurler sophomore Scottie Todd (Tampa, Fla. / Strawberry Crest) broke up the no-hitter with a scorching single off the glove of the third baseman. Spizizen ended up with a five-hit shutout, striking out 14 and walking none. Todd was also very impressive, going the distance herself while giving up two runs on five hits.

• Emory broke through in the fourth inning, when Sarah Katz hit a two-out double down the left field line, bringing in Cassie Baca all the way from first base.

• Brandeis' best chance to score came in its half of the fifth inning. After the first two hitters struck out, junior Keri Lehtonen (Oneco, Conn. / Plainfield), senior Marysa Massoia (Feeding Hills, Mass. / Suffield Acad.), and freshman Jolie Fujita (Honolulu, Hawaii / Punahou School) all singled to load the bases. Spizizen was able to bear down and retire sophomore PJ Ross (Kingston, N.H. / Sanborn Regional) on strikes to end the inning.

• Emory tacked on what would prove to be a crucial insurance run in the top of the seventh, when Janelle Turnquest knocked in Jessy McLean with an RBI single.

• Junior Marissa DeLaurentis (Centereach, N.Y. / St. John the Baptist Diocesan) started Brandeis' last licks with a fierce battle, forcing Spizizen to throw 12 pitches before doubling off of the top of the left field wall on the 13th offering.

• The Judges continued to push Spizizen, producing some lengthy at-bats, but she was able to retire the next three hitters and end the game.

• Spizizen moved to 12-4 with the victory, while Todd fell to 2-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 2 (Emory, 10-1, 5 innings)

• The first inning of the second game produced as many runs as all of the game one. Emory's Cassie Baca hit her first home run of the season to right center field, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

• Brandeis was able to erase that lead quickly, however, when Todd singled down the left field line, driving in Lehtonen.

• Emory went right back at it in the second inning, as Leah Herrmann hit one off and over the center field fence with two runners on, giving the Eagles a three-run lead.

• The Eagles tacked one run on in the fourth, making it 5-1, and then doubled their run total for the game in the next frame. After a walk and two singles to start the fifth, Greta Wilker cleared the bases with a triple down the left field line. Herrmann immediately brought home Wilker with her second home run of the day, a towering pop fly that cleared the fence in center.

• The Judges were retired in order in the bottom of the inning, ending the game early by run rule.

• Emory's Audrey Weller earned the victory, pitching four innings and giving up one run on three hits and no walks, while striking out three, to move to 2-1. Madison Schaefer closed out the game, pitching a clean fifth inning with one strikeout. Brandeis' Callie MacDonald (Hanover, Mass. / Hanover) took the loss, falling to 2-6.

UP NEXT

• Both teams are back at it tomorrow, meeting for a doubleheader beginning at noon at Brandeis.

--Corey Cohen