SANFORD, Fla.-Senior Colin Markel (Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale) went the distance in his first start of the season, leading the Judges to a 3-2 lead over the University of Rochester. The Judges improve to 5-4 on the season, 1-2 in the UAA. The Yellow Jackets are 0-4 on the season, all in conference play.

Markel was the story for Brandeis. Making his first start since Feb. 23 of last season, the senior allowed just two runs in nine innings, striking out three in the process. He now owns a 2.02 ERA in three appearances this year.

The Judges jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first off of Rochester starter David Strandberg. Junior DH Tom McCarthy (Yonkers, N.Y./Fieldston School) scored senior left fielder Brian Ing (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) on an RBI groundout, and junior first baseman Kyle Brenner (Brookfield, Mass./St. Peter-Marian) added an RBI double to give the Judges an early 2-0 lead.

Strandberg settled down from there, not allowing another run in the rest of his 5.2-inning outing. The Yellow Jackets' offense quickly battled back with two runs of their own. Catcher Nolan Schultz was the provider, singling to short in the second and smashing a double to left in the third, two of his game- and career-high four hits.

Brandeis got the win on an unearned run in the seventh inning. Sophomore outfielder Liam O'Connor (Avon, Conn./Avon) got the ball rolling with a one-out liner up the middle. Ing singled through the right side, and both runners advanced on a Rochester miscue. Sophomore 3b Greg Heineman (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug Reg.) grounded out to short, scoring O'Connor.

Ing paced the Judges with three hits. Rochester's Andrew Crean picked up the loss despite allowing just the lone unearned run in 3.1 innings of work.

Both squads continue the UAA action tomorrow. Brandeis faces Case at 11 a.m., while Rochester takes on Emory at 5 p.m.