From Brandeis University Athletics
The Brandeis University baseball team scored in double figures for the second game in a row today as the Judges defeated Bates College, 11-5, at Chain-O-Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida, as part of the RussMatt Invitational. The Judges improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Bobcats fall to 1-1.
For the second game in a row, the Judges scored runs in more than half of their at-bats, crossing the plate in six of nine innings. Rookie left fielder Sam Nugent (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) set the table out of the leadoff slot, going 5-5 with three runs scored, one RBI and a stolen base. Senior second baseman Victor Oppenheimer (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade) had a big day at the plate as well, going 3-5 with three RBI, two doubles and a run scored. Oppenheimer had a two-run double in the third inning that provided the game-winning runs, and added an RBI two-bagger in the fifth. Brandeis also got a big blow from junior catcher Luke Hall (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown), who hit his second career home run in the first inning, a two-run shot that gave the Judges a 3-0 lead.
On the mound, the Judges got an excellent combined pitching performance, allowing just five runs (four earned) on four hits with 11 strikeouts. Senior Tim Lopez (Brooklyn, N.Y. / East Side Community) tied his career-high with eight Ks over five innings, including five in the first two innings. He did walk four and allowed a runner to reach on a wild pitch, helping the Bobcats scored two runs on just one hit in the first inning. Lopez did not allow a hit after that first frame as he earned his first win of the season. Sophomore Mark Maestri (Katonah, N.Y. / Somers) pitched 1.2 inning, struck out one and gave up three runs on three hits, including a two-run home run to Bates's Henry Jamieson. Rookie Christian Tejada (Providence, R.I. / Bishop Hendricken) closed the game out with 2.1 innings of one-hit ball, fanning two.
Jamieson was Bates's only multiple hitter, going 2-5 with two RBI, a run scored and his home run. Matt Spind allowed eight hits and seven earned runs in five innings to take the loss.