WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University graduate student 1B Mike Khoury hit a pair of two-run home runs in the first three innings, when the Judges did all of their scoring today in a 13-6 win over visiting Saint Joseph's College in Brandeis's home opener. With the win, the Judges improve to 3-2. The Monks fall to 5-4.
The Judges also got a two-run home run from grad student catcher Luke Hall in the first inning for the second game in a row. Grad student CF Dan Frey went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Junior RF Steven Simon broke out of a slump, going 3-for-6 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored, while first-year DH Aiden Schleer also drove in a pair of runs, the first two RBI of his collegiate career.
In all, the Judges scored three runs in each of the first two innings, then exploded for seven in the third when they sent 11 men to the plate. Simon had a two-run double, followed by Khoury's second blast. Frey's RBI triple down the left-field line made it a five-run frame, and junior SS Drew Michaud and Schleer each added RBI singles.
Saint Joseph's did their scoring in the second through fifth innings. Their big hits were a pair of solo home runs, with 2B Drew Healy going deep in the third inning and RF Dawson Gundlah leaving the park in the fifth. Healey also had a double and joined senior third baseman Ronan Chisholm (2-3) and junior shortstop Zach Miles (2-3) as the Monks' lone repeat hitters.
Three Brandeis pitchers combined to strikeout SJC hitters 14 times. Sophomore Asher Kaplan threw the first four innings, allowing nine hits with five runs (four earned) and five strikeouts. Sophomore Sean Decker-Jacoby fanned four in two innings of work, allowing just two hits, two walks and one earned run. It was his first collegiate win. Junior Jakob Newman was terrific as the final reliever, fanning five in three hitless innings to earn a save.
Saint Joseph's Matthew Bergeron took the loss, throwing the first two innings and giving up six hits and six runs (five earned), a pair of homers and two walks with one strikeout. The Monks used six different relievers, with the final four – Brian Berthiaume, Anthony Esposito, Jason Johnson and Devan Harrison - shutting down the Brandeis bats, allowing just two hits and a walk over the final four innings with six strikeouts.
Saint Joseph's is back in action on Sunday with a pair of games at Clark University. The first game is set to begin at 12:00 PM.
THANKS IN LARGE PART TO BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION