LA VERNE, Calif. - The Brandeis University softball team took on La Verne Leopards. The Judges split the games going 6-5 and 4-3.

TEAM RECORDS:

• Brandeis: 1-3
• La Vern: 2-2

HOW IT HAPPENED, GAME 1

• In the bottom of the second inning, La Verne pushed one across the plate with a sacrifice fly ball to center field, bringing in an unearned run.
• The Judges came back in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs. A huge two-run home run by senior Haley Nash (Delmar, N.Y. / Bethlehem Central) was followed by another homer by sophomore Bells Burdenski (San Diego, Calif. / Rancho Bernardo). This brought the score to 3-2.
• In the bottom of the fourth, the Leopards strung together hits, allowing for 3 runs to cross the plate.
• In the top of the fifth inning, Brandeis University was able to score 2 runs with a big single to center field from Burdenski which scored one run, then an RBI for senior Alex Cohen (West Palm Beach, Fla. / The Benjamin School) scoring the last run of the inning. In the seventh inning, Nash had the game-winning homer taking the win for Brandeis softball.
• Judges sophomore Ragini Kannan (Westford, Mass. / Westford Academy) had 4 strikeouts, gave up only one walk, faced 31 hitters, and gave up 6 hits.

HOW IT HAPPENED, GAME 2

• With tough defense on both sides, neither team scored until the third inning
• In the top of the third, Brandeis senior Haley Nash lined out to center field, gaining an RBI as sophomore Maddie Manes (San Clemente, Calif / San Juan Hills) crossed the plate.
• La Verne came back at the bottom of the third inning scoring two runs by an RBI from Ashley Rodriguez and then another RBI for Isabella Garcia; bringing to score to 2-0.
• In the top of the seventh, the Judges pushed two runs across the plate. Freshman Brooke Boehmer (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mount Lebanon) reached second base on a fielding error by the first baseman. Freshman Hannah Fletcher (Bethany, Conn. / Amity Regional) put a bunt down third base, moving Boehmer to third base and Fletcher safe at first. Junior Anna Kolb (Alexandria, Va. / Thomas A. Edison) had a big double to center field that allowed Boehmer to score, Kolb was safe at second base. Sophomore Erin Hunt (Wake Forest, N.C. / Franklin Academy) hit a sacrifice fly ball to center field allowing Fletcher to score.
• In the bottom of the seventh, the Leopards capitalized on a fielding error, allowing Angelina Alderete to be in scoring position for Marissa Acosta, who hit a double and got an unearned score. Garcia reached first base on a fielder choice but Acosta got out at third base by Brandeis pitcher Kannan. Garcia singled to left which allowed Rodriguez to score, unearned.
• Judges Alex Cohen pitched six out of seven innings, throwing 103 pitches, facing 29 batters, giving up 2 walks and 6 hits.
• Judges junior Ragini Kannan closed the game by throwing 10 pitches, facing 3 batters, and giving up 1 walk and 1 hit.

• Kannan's record for this season is 1-1 and Cohen's record is 0-2.
• Nash had a season-high of two home runs in a game and Burdenski started the season strong with one home run.
• Nash also went 4 for 6 for the day including a two-run home run.

UP NEXT

• The Judges return to action on Saturday, March 16 at 12 p.m. Eastern with a doubleheader away at the Wentworth Institute of Technology.