Softball Falls Twice At Home To Brandeis In Non-League Twinbill

Worcester, MA --- Brandeis defeated Worcester State twice this evening in non-conference softball action at Rockwood Park.

Senior Melissa Nolan (Windsor, CT) tossed five strong innings in a 12-7 game one victory before freshman Madison Hunter (Parker, CO) knocked in the game-winning run in a 5-4 eight inning triumph for the Judges in the nightcap.

Brandies (18-16) started off the opener with the early 3-0 advantage in the top of the second. Sophomore Madison Gagnon (Westlake Village, CA) and classmate Jordan Buscetto (Old Lyme, CT) had run producing plate appearances to help lead the charge.

Sophomore Madison Sullivan (Dover, NH), senior Leah McWilliams (Billerica, MA), freshman Liana Moss (Agoura Hills, CA) and Nolan then chipped in with RBIs as the visitors nearly batted around for a second time with four more scores for the 7-0 edge in the third inning.

But the Lancers (10-17) put up a three-spot when the hosts took advantage of a key miscue in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, sophomore Meghan Rich (Chelmsford, MA) drove a single to right center, which slipped past the dive of the centerfielder and allowed everyone to come home on the misplay.

The Judges responded in the next half inning when junior Anya Kamber (Sammamish, WA) hammered her fourth homer of the season with a solo shot to left center.

Brandeis added one more score in the top of the fifth for the 9-3 margin when sophomore Danielle Novotny (Milford, NJ) doubled in Moss with two outs.

Worcester State answered in the bottom of the same frame when sophomore Hayley Terry (N. Dighton, MA) manufactured a run with a solo base-knock to bring in classmate Sara Pelletier (Leominster, MA) before freshman Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, CT) followed with a two-run single to help the Lancers trail by three runs.

Brandeis though put the game out of reach with a trio of scores over the last two stanzas to open up a 12-6 contest. Gagnon drove in her second run of the contest in the top of the eighth while Sullivan added a sacrifice fly and Kamber scampered home on an errant play by the shortstop in the ninth.

The Blue and Gold did not go away quietly as senior Hillary Hart (Clinton, MA) connected on an RBI triple to right field for the final tally of the contest.

The Judges held the 22-8 margin in hits as Rich went 2-for-3 for the Lancers while Pelletier scored twice with one of her runnings coming after she doubled to lead off the frame.

Nolan (6-3) fanned four and walked three in the opener while allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits

Sophomore Marissa Avanzato (Pittsfield, MA) absorbed the setback. Avanzato (1-3) permitted eight runs (six earned) on 14 hits to go with two free passes and one strikeout.

Trailing 4-0 in the nightcap in the bottom of the seventh, Worcester State scored four times in the inning to force extra innings.

Taking advantage of three consecutive miscues by the defense, the Lancers notched their first run on an RBI fielder's choice by junior Taylor Hanley (Wilmington, MA) to help bring in Pelletier, who started off the inning with a single.

After an infield solo safety to juice the bases, freshman Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, RI) walked in a run to set the stage for Rich who belted a two-run, one out double to right center, which tied up the game at 4-4.

Brandeis junior Nikki Cote (Shelton, CT), however, set down the final two batters to help prevent a walk-off victory.

In the top of the eighth, Sullivan gave her team a lift with what proved to be the deciding score on an RBI two-bagger to score Novotny to lead off the frame.

With Humphrey at standing second, the Lancers failed to drive her in as Cote retired the side by setting down all three batters she faced with groundouts.

The Judges originally staked the early 1-0 lead when Gagnon scurried home from third after the second baseman couldn't come up with play to end the top of the first.

Three innings later in the top of the fourth, Hunter drove in Kamber before Novotny crossed the plate to help give the visitors the 3-0 edge after the first baseman dropped the final out of the inning.

Brandeis notched a key run in the top of the seventh for the 4-0 advantage when Moss helped score Gagnon from second with a double to the deep part of centerfield. Gagnon sparked the rally with a walk and she moved into scoring position on a sacrifice.

Cote (6-8) went the distance and she yielded four runs (one earned) while scattering eight hits. She also rung up three on strikes and dealt one walk.

Freshman Mary McKeown (Shrewsbury, MA) also matched the effort in the circle going the full eight innings giving up five runs (two earned) and 11 hits. McKeown (0-3) fanned one and gave up one base on balls.

In the second game, Brandeis outhit their opponents 11-8 as Kamber, Sullivan and Hunter all registered a pair of base-knocks each. Gagnon and Novotny both scored twice for the visitors. Salisbury was the lone multi-hitter for the hosts with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.

Worcester State will travel to Salem State for a noontime doubleheader against Salem State on Saturday. The Lancers try to secure a first-round bye into next week's MASCAC Tournament.

Brandeis hosts Emerson in a 10 AM twin bill on Saturday.

You can follow the Worcester State Lancers on Facebook and Twitter