With three home doubleheaders this past week, the softball team did not fall short in providing excitement.

Despite falling to Eastern Connecticut State University in its first game of Sunday's doubleheader by a score of 3-0, the second game told a much different tale, as the Judges dominated the visiting Warriors. In the nightcap, the Judges won 7-2.

The first game was uneventful as far as hitting action went, largely due to the stellar play of Warrior pitcher Erin Miller, who out dueled pitcher Melissa Nolan '14. Both pitchers went the distance, but Miller, who has won 11 games this season and lost just two, did not allow an extra base hit in her four-hit shutout. Nolan gave up three earned runs on seven hits.

In the second game, the Judges took a more cautious approach. To begin the game, Brandeis depended on "small ball," a strategy that relies on singles, walks, stolen bases and other ways that exclude big hits such as home runs and doubles for runs.

Leading off the inning was center fielder Amanda Genovese '15 who reached first base with a walk, and advanced on a steal of second base. Afterward, pitcher Casey Ducinski '13, who gave up just six hits and one earned run, whacked a single, which scored Genovese. Utility player Danielle Novotny '16 and Nolan both hit singles in consecutive at bats, loading the bases. Shortstop Anya Kamber '15 then reached on an error by the Worcester State catcher, which scored three for the Judges.

In the bottom of the inning, Genovese-who became only the 14th player in Division III history to exceed 50 career stolen bases-provided a home run, and stole two bases in a row in the four-run fourth inning. From there, the Judges played solid defense en route to the win.

Hitting didn't come quite as easily for the Judges against Bowdoin College on Saturday; as in the first of two games on the day, the entire team only had one hit. And, just like Sunday's first game, the Judges fell 3-0. Kamber provided the only hit in the bottom of the fifth inning. Meanwhile on the mound, pitcher Nolan's solid pitching performance was wasted. She pitched the entire game, giving up six hits, three earned runs, three walks and struck out seven Polar Bears.

Coach Jessica Johnson didn't believe that the physical taxation played a factor in the Judges' play.

"Doubleheaders are standard format for collegiate softball so I don't think there was too much of a factor either way for either team," she said.

In the first pair of games on Thursday April 25 against Worcester State University, scoring came at a premium. Both games were decided 2-1, as Brandeis lost the first and won the second game.

Nolan threw effectively and efficiently, lasting the entire seven innings while giving up only three hits and no earned runs. She also struck out six batters.

Entering the sixth inning behind 1-0 having only put one hit on the scoreboard, the Judges looked to their underclassmen for help. After Genovese hit a leadoff single and advanced on a fielder's choice, Novotny tied the game on another single. Kamber provided the finishing touch after whacking a single that scored Novotny and gave the Judges the lead.

In game two of the doubleheader, Ducinski didn't give up an earned run, and pitched the entire game. The Judges scattered six hits across the board, and only left five runners on base.

In a single game on Wednesday, the Judges fell at home to local rival Babson College 6-2. Despite taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning through short stop Madison Sullivan '16, Brandeis found itself down 2-1 at the top of the second. From there, the Beavers controlled the game.

The Judges end their regular season with a two-game series against Massachusetts Institute of Technology on May 1, and one final game against Babson on May 2.
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