Bryan Lambert '04 stepped onto the mound during the second game of Sunday's doubleheader, facing a situation that has not been kind to the Judges this season. Brandeis had been unable to win both games of a doubleheader this season, splitting the previous two.
Lambert entered with a runner on second base, but had three strikeouts and allowed only two hits in three shutout innings as the Judges beat Wentworth Tech in both games Sunday. The team improved to 11-12 and is in position to reach .500 for the first time this season.
The Judges won the first game 6-3 and the second 4-1 behind a stellar offensive effort from Dan McIntosh '04. McIntosh hit 4-7 over the two games, along with four stolen bases and an RBI. UAA Rookie of the Year Ben Dashefsky went 2-2 with two RBI's in the first game, while captain Lars Borssen '04 went 2-4 with an RBI in the second game.
Aaron Landes '05 pitched to his second win of the season in game one, and Jonathan Schwartz '04 followed suit in game two, recording his first win of the season. Lambert picked up the save on both games. Phil Aurigemma '06 chipped in, going 2-3 with an RBI in game one.
"We got two good performances from our starters today," Lambert said. "Coach just gave me the ball. I've been throwing a lot lately and I think I throw better when my arm is tired for some reason."
"We had a bunch of games this weekend and it's a good time to get into a groove," Borssen said. "I was in a slump for a week or two, figured out what was wrong and got my stride down earlier. If you see the ball well, you get hits, and that's the way it's going right now."
The Judges had been slumping for most of Spring Vaction. After rebounding well from an 0-5 start on the Florida trip, the Judges won five out of six games, capped by a 3-1 win over Wheaton College on March 30. The team went on to lose five of the next eight contests, including an 8-2 loss to cross-town Bentley College.
The Judges broke out of the slump on Saturday by winning the second game of a double header against Roger Williams University 5-4. After losing game one of the series, Borssen led Brandeis, going 4-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and batting in one. Jeff Bourdon '07 chipped in, batting 3-3 with an RBI. Paul Ramsdell picked up his second win of the season in as many tries, allowing only two earned runs through six innings. Borssen picked up his second save of the season.
The captain Borssen has continued to lead by example on the field, batting .333 with eight RBIs. More importantly, Borssen has continued to produce hits in scoring situations. He is batting a .437 slugging percentage, including an RBI in Sunday's second game to extend the Judges lead. Borssen also sports a 1.35 ERA in 62/3 innings of relief and has saved two games.
"He's done everything we've asked him to," Coach Peter Varney said. "He's obviously a senior leader. He's our captain, so we rely heavily on him. He gets on base for us and he's pitched pretty well for us. He's really been the jack of all trades."
Zach Golden '06 has also been key for Brandeis offensively. The Milton, Mass. native is the Judges' best bat this season, hitting .359. Golden's 17 RBIs and .474 slugging percentage also lead the team. McIntosh is right behind Golden, batting .337 with a team-leading 30 hits.
The Judges are 11-12 and looking to get over the hump toward a winning season. The team will have to continue to improve over a stretch of four games in five days, starting today as Brandeis hosts Bowdoin College at 3:30 p.m. The Judges then go on a three-game road trip, including contests against Salve Regina and Trinity College.
"We just need to execute the little things," Varney said. "It's not going to be home runs, just executing the things we know we can do."
"All we can ask for is to win," Borssen said. "We'd like to qualify for the ECAC tournament and hopefully win. We just have to string some wins together and go on a run. I have a few more weeks in my career. I just want to go out and have fun.