Over the February break both the Brandeis softball and baseball teams embarked on their spring training trips, opening up their competitive seasons on the road.

Softball

The Brandeis University softball team traveled to California, facing tough competition. On the trip, the Judges secured their first victory of the season but struggled overall against the University of La Verne, Occidental College, Chapman University and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.

The softball team started their season with a pair of losses against La Verne. In game one, Brandeis fell 7-5 despite a strong offensive effort led by Tristan Boyer ’25 and Maddie Manes ’26. The University of La Verne Leopards got off to an early start with a three-run homer and later two more runs in the sixth which made it tough for the Judges to come back. The Judges started game two off strong in the top of the first with a score early, but La Verne responded with a five-run first inning, putting them well on their way to their 9-1 victory.

Brandeis secured its first win in the second game of their doubleheader against Occidental. In the first game the Judges got off to a strong start with an early three-run lead, but then Occidental put up four runs to take the win. The Judges bounced back in game two with a strong 13-5 win, with contributions from every starter and an impressive eight-run fifth inning. 

The Judges struggled in back-to-back doubleheaders, falling 5-0 and 3-0 to Chapman and 7-4 and 5-0 to Pomona-Pitzer. Despite a tough start, the team looks to bounce back in their next game and use the momentum gained from their first victory this season. 

Baseball

The Brandeis University baseball team kicked off its 2025 season with a series of closely contested games in Georgia and Tennessee, finishing their opening road trip with a 1-3 record. In their first game, the Judges secured a thrilling Game one victory against Oglethorpe University but then experienced subsequent losses to Oglethorpe University, Sewanee University and Berry College.

In their season opener, the Judges broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh inning. Center fielder Connor Crowley ’27 walked and stole second before Ben Kuja ’28 singled up the middle to drive in the game-winning run. Relief pitcher Brady Lane ’28 sealed the victory by striking out the side in the bottom of the inning securing the victory.

In game two, despite an early lead, Brandeis struggled with control issues, allowing multiple walks and wild pitches that contributed to Oglethorpe's dominant middle innings. The Judges rallied in the sixth, scoring four runs, but unfortunately couldn't close the gap. In game three of the trip, a late-inning push by the Judges was just not enough as Sewanee’s bullpen held firm. Despite strong performances from Crowley, Brandeis couldn’t overcome their early defensive mistakes. Game 4 was very much an offensive performance for both teams as many runs were scored. Brandeis led 10-6 before Berry stormed back with a five-run sixth inning. 

Both the softball team and the baseball team faced some tough opponents but overall showcased their offensive and defensive potential, and they look to bounce back in their upcoming games early on in the season.