Judges sweep Suffolk University in a twin bill
The undefeated Judges softball team crushed the Suffolk University Rams as they swept a double header on Tuesday, with scores of 13–1 in the opener and 15–6 in the night cap, as reported in Brandeis Athletics. The Judges are now 10–0 overall. A pair of doubleheaders on the road against the UAA rival Washington University Bears on March 30–31 were cancelled, and the Judges will resume their schedule with a double header at Wellesley College Wednesday, followed by a pair of twin bills in the Big Apple against New York University Friday and Saturday. The current winning streak ties the team's second best in team history.
In the first game, a 4-inning game that was a complete rout by the Judges, Scotti Todd '20 hurled the entire game for the Judges, allowing one earned run, striking out six batters and improving her undefeated record to 5–0. The Rams’ starting pitcher, Constance Phelan (2–2 for the year), was stung for 10 runs (seven earned) in two innings. Her replacement, Alexis Bonilla, fared somewhat better, allowing four earned runs in the final two innings. Offensively, it was a complete team effort, with Kerri Lehtonen ’19, Bridget Cifuni ’21, Jolie Fujita ’21, Todd, Amidori Anderson ’22 and Brittany Dean ’22 each collecting two hits, while Marley Felder 22' and, PJ Ross ’20 each contributed one hit apiece. Runs batted in were generated by Cifuni with three, Brittany Dean with three and one each by Todd, Felder, Ross and Brianna Urena ’20. A home run was contributed by Cifuni.
In the second game of the evening, Anderson earned her first collegiate win and now has a record of one win and zero losses, going three innings and allowing two earned runs. Sydney Goldman '22 pitched the final two innings, allowing one earned run to complete the victory. The scoring deluge of the night cap was again a team effort. Three hits were contributed by Fujita, two from Lehtonen, two from Cifuni and two from Felder. Ross, Marysa Massoia ’19, and Alyssa Renskers ’22 each contributed one hit. Fujita led the way in runs batted in with four, including a home run. Other Judges contributing multiple runs batted in were Lehtonen, Cifuni, Felder, Marissa and DeLaurentis, all with two. Ross and Caroline Seppin '20 also drove in one run each.
The Judges showed no mercy for Rams pitchers. The Judges “threw the book” at starting pitcher Hannah DelCuervo, whom they shellacked for nine earned runs in 2.2 innings and whose pitching record is now one win and two losses. Reliever Kennedy Reyes fared no better, as the Judges drubbed her for five earned runs in two thirds inning. Finally, Constance Phelan mopped up the final two thirds inning for the Rams. Hitting leaders for the Rams were Grace Boehler and Jaclyn Flint, who both had two hits in two at bats and two runs batted in; Ashley Zulla, who had two hits for three times at bat, two runs batted in and one home run and McKenzie McGrath, who had one hit in two times at bat.
The victorious Judges accomplished a satisfying double victory, one in which everyone played a role and contributed to the team effort. This momentum will be useful as the Judges begin to face conference rivals in the University Athletic Association.
In an interview with the Justice, Lehton explained, "We just focus on the job at hand and get things done. We take it one at bat at a time and play for each other. Everyone contributes, that is how our team has been able to be so successful." Lehton elaborated, "After now, 10 wins, we are feeling good, but we don't really focus on the record, we just take it one game at a time." The team hopes to compete against UAA teams this season and are "excited to show everyone the results of how hard we have been working all winter. We also have a lot of young talent that I'm excited for people to see," she said.
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