ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The Brandeis University softball team
jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings and never trailed,
giving head coach Jessica Johnson her first victory on the Judges'
sideline, 5-2, over the University of Rochester in University
Athletic Association action today.
Brandeis (1-2, 1-2 UAA) got on the scoreboard quickly with two runs
in the top of the first. Rookie SS Chelsea Korp (Worcester, Mass.)
led off with a single and scored three batters later on an RBI by
sophomore Danielle Mayer (Larkspur, Calif.). Junior RF Natalie
Volpe (Southington, Conn.) came home on a wild pitch to the next
batter to give the Judges a two-run lead.
The eventual game-winning run came home in the second inning.
Sophomore 3B Samantha Worth (Londonderry, N.H.) led off with a
double and stole third base. She was still there two batters later
when junior CF Amelia Schimmel (Oakland, Calif.) doubled to right,
putting Brandeis ahead, 3-0.
Rochester (2-1, 2-1 UAA) got on the board in the third, producing a
run without benefit of a hit. 3B Beth Ameno led off with a walk,
reached third on the ensuing sacrifice bunt and scored on an by
error the Judges.
Brandeis put two more runs on the board in the fifth. The first
came home on back-to-back doubles by Volpe and junior pitcher
Kaitlin Streilein (Point Pleasant, N.J.). After singles by Mayer
and rookie 1B Allie Mussen (Franklin, Square, N.Y.) loaded the
bases, Worth coaxed a walk to give the Judges a 5-1 lead. Though
they couldn't muster any more runs, but Streilein allowed only a
one-out solo home run by UR pitcher Jenna Robertson in the fifth
before giving way to rookie Emily Vaillette (Milford, N.H.) who
retired eight of the 11 batters she faced, allowing just one ball
to leave the infield and record the save.
The Judges had four multiple hitters and knocked five doubles.
Volpe led the squad with two runs scored, while four different
players recorded RBI. Streilein threw 4.1 innings of three-hit ball
with three walks and two strikeouts to record her first win of the
season. Robertson was the only multiple hitter for the
Yellowjackets.