The softball team swept Salem State University in a double-header at home last Saturday, winning a thriller in the first game 8-7 and blowing out the Vikings in the second game, 14-1. The Judges are now 8-11 on the season after splitting a double header against Worcester Polytechnic Institute last Friday.In the first game, the Judges had to battle back after falling behind early. Brandeis trailed 7-0 in the sixth inning but was able to rally back and defeat the Vikings. The Judges' comeback began with right fielder Maxie Hirschler '12 singling to start the sixth inning. First baseman Courtney Kelley '11 walked, and outfielder Samantha Gajewski '12 reached on an error, loading the bases for center fielder Lauren Porcaro '12. Porcaro made the most of the opportunity, pulverizing a pitch over the right-field wall for a grand slam, bringing Brandeis within three runs.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Brandeis comeback continued. Hirschler was hit by a pitch. Catcher Leah McWilliams '14 then walked, and with two outs, Kelley hit a pitch that sailed over the right-field wall, tying the game 7-7.

In extra innings, the game remained tied until third baseman Danielle Lavallee '11 started the 10th inning with a double. Shortstop Brittany Grimm '12 followed with a single, and Lavallee attempted to score but was cut down at the plate. Center fielder Carly Schmand '11 got on base with a single, allowing Grimm to advance to third. Utility Marianne Specker '12 then hit a single up the middle, bringing in Grimm for the game-winning run.

"Everyone was in it to win it," said pitcher Melissa Nolan '14. "I don't think we really pulled it together until the end of the game where we realized how much we really wanted it."

In the second game against Salem State, the Judges carried over their offensive prowess from the end of the first game. Brandeis scored seven runs in the second inning and never looked back. Nolan had two home runs in the game, the first two of her career, one a solo shot and the other good for two runs. Kelley also homered early in the game, her second 3-run shot of the day. Brandeis pitching was superb as well, as Nolan allowed only one run on one hit to improve to 4-5 on the season.

"I think the second game was much easier because the pressure was off. We scored runs immediately." Nolan said.

Last Friday, the Judges went 1-1 in a doubleheader against WPI. In the first game, Brandeis had scoring opportunities early, but failed to capitalize and lost the game 10-2. Grimm and Specker walked with one out in the first inning, but WPI junior pitcher Erin Flaherty struck out the next two Brandeis batters to get herself out of the jam.

Brandeis unraveled in the third inning, allowing five runs against the Engineers. WPI scored after two walks and a Brandeis error, bringing home one run. Then, with the bases loaded, sophomore outfielder Katherine Fitton belted a grand slam for a five-run lead.

In the fifth, Brandeis was able to make up some ground, as Hirschler doubled and Grimm quickly reached base on a WPI error. Schmand then scored both runners on a doubleto pull Brandeis within three. The Judges were unable to score again in the game, and WPI pulled away to win 10-2. Nolan was the losing pitcher in the contest, giving up five runs in 2 1/3 innings.

In the second game against the Engineers, Brandeis got into an offensive rhythm early, scoring three runs in the first inning en route to a 5-1 win. Schmand reached first base on an error and Hirschler doubled her home. Specker then walked, and a ground out allowed for two more Brandeis runs.

Brandeis scored again in the second inning when Porcaro hit a double and an RBI single from Schmand drove her in. The Judges' final scoring of the day came in the third inning, as Kelley reached first on a single and eventually scored after two walks and a wild pitch.

The softball team's next action is at 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, when the Judges will play a double-header at Wellesley College.