SANFORD, Fla., (taken from a Washington University press release) – Brandeis University broke open a tie ball game with four runs in the top of the seventh inning, helping support senior righty John McGrath (New York, N.Y./Trevor Day) as the Judges posted a 5-2 win over the Washington University in St. Louis baseball team at the University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament on Friday night at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Fla.

Washington U. (2-4, 1-1 UAA) jumped out in front in the third inning following a two-out RBI to left field from senior Matt Skinner. The Judges answered back with a run of their own in the top of the fourth after sophomore catcher Chris Ferro (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) and classmate Nick Cortese (Guaynabo, P.R./Baldwin School of P.R.) executed a perfect double steal.

Brandeis (7-4, 2-1 UAA) scored four runs on five hits in the seventh to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Junior 3B Jon Chu (Hollis Hills, N.Y./Bronx H.S. of Science) gave the Judges a one-run lead following a one-one-out single up the middle. Bear senior pitcher Bryce Hrovat was pulled following the RBI from Chu, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched. He also threw 95 pitches as he picked up the loss for the Bears.

Ferro then greeted WashU senior pitcher Adam Merzel with an RBI single, and senior SS Tony Deshler (Pepperell, Mass./Lawrence Acad.) doubled home two with a shot to deep right field to make it 4-1. Cortese plated the fourth run of the frame on a single.

Washington U. scored its final run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double to right from senior Matt Bayer.

John McGrath (1-0) got the win for Brandeis, tossing 7 2/3 innings pitched allowing five hits and one earned run. McGrath also struck out four as he threw 124 pitches. Senior Pat Nicholson (E. Walpole, Mass./Walpole) picked up the save, his first of the season and the fourth of his career, retiring the final three batters in the ninth. Junior 2B Sean O'Hare (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Regional) went a career-best 4-for-4 from the leadoff spot for the Judges with a double, a run scored and two stolen bases.

Brandeis is back in action tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. against Emory University.