WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University softball team allowed just seven hits and no runs over the course of 12 innings as the Judges, ranked 20th in Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), swept a non-conference doubleheader from visiting Worcester State University, 8-0 and 4-0. With the win, the Judges continue the best start in program history as they improve to 22-1-1, while the Lancers fall to 6-28.
In the opener, Brandeis got all the runs they would need on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning, as senior catcher Keri Lehtonen (Oneco, Conn./Plainfield) ripped her first home run of the season to center field. It was the ninth round tripper of her career. The Judges added two more runs in the first inning on back-to-back RBI doubles by sophomore shortstop Jolie Fujita (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou School) and junior pitcher Scottie Todd (Tampa, Fla./Strawberry Crest). The Judges added single runs in the second and third frames before tacking on three more in the fourth on a two-run home run by Fujita and a solo shot by junior 1B PJ Ross (Kingston, N.H./Sanborn Regional).
In the circle for Game One, Todd allowed two base runners in her two innings of work, on a single in the first and a walk in the second. Todd struck out one. She gave way to rookie Sydney Goldman (Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame), who gave up three hits and walked one with four strikeouts in three innings, picking up her 10th win of the season, tying Todd and one other atop the University Athletic Association leaderboard in victories.
Shortstop Ashley Lynch led WSU with two of her team's four hits. Carly Zielenski suffered the loss in the circle for the visitors.
In the second contest, rookie Amidori Anderson (Sparks, Nev./Spanish River) was the star, tossing her first career complete game and shutout. She allowed just three hits and walked one over seven innings, striking out five to improve to 2-0 on the campaign. It was her career-long outing and a career-best in strikeouts.
Offensively, Brandeis scored twice in the first inning. After Lehtonen reached on an error, rookie 3B Marley Felder (Miami, Fla./American Heritage) singled, and an overrun in the outfield allowed both runners to get into scoring position. Fujita followed with a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch brought home Felder. In the third, senior Marissa DeLaurentis (Centereach, N.Y./St. John the Baptist Diocesan) drove in Fujita, who reached on an error, and in the fourth, sophomore outfielder Bridget Cifuni (Georgetown, Mass./Brooks School) added a sac fly of her own to close out the scoring.
Worcester State catcher Tyler Rano had two of the Lancers' three hits in game two. Liv Larson took the loss.
Brandeis returns to action on Friday when they start a four-game UAA series with Carnegie Mellon, their first-ever meeting with the Tartans, whose program is in its first varsity season.