SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Brandeis University baseball team erased an early 4-0 deficit with runs in three straight innings, but the host Springfield College Pride rallied to score three times in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 7-4 victory in the season opener for both teams today in Springfield.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis: 0-1.
• Springfield, 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Springfield scored a run with two outs in the bottom of the first on a pair of walks and an RBI single by RF Andrew McCarty.
• The Pride got three more in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single by CF Michael LePere and a run-producing hit from catcher Ryan Sorgi to make it 4-0.
• The Judges started their comeback in the fifth, when two batters walked and moved to third on a passed ball. Grad transfer RF Jake Freed (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson) then scored on an grounder to third by classmate SS Matt Chafin (Canton, Mass./Canton).
• In the top of the sixth, the Judges took advantage of two more walks issued by Pride pitchers, as Freed singled to center to drive home first-year CF Connor Crowley (Guilford, Conn./Notre Dame-West Haven).
• The Judges tied things up in the top of the seventh. First-year 2B Dylan Walsh (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) led off with a single to third, and two batters later scored on a triple to right-center by sophomore DH Alex Kim (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge). The Judges loaded the bases on two more walks and tied it up when a Springfield reliever committed a balk to tie things at 4-all. Unfortunately, the Judges could not push ahead the go-ahead run.
• In the bottom of the seventh, SC went back on top thanks to a lead-off home run down the right-field line. The Pride added three more hits and two runs in the frame to take the final 7-4 lead.
• Brandeis had three hits in their final two turns at bat, but could not push across another run.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Brandeis's Dylan Walsh was the team's only multiple hitter, while Kim's triple was their only extra-base hit.
• The Judges finished with seven hits, six coming from newcomers to the team – four by first-years and twos from graduate transfer.
• Senior Sean Decker-Jacoby (Los Angeles, Calif./Visitmar) went 3.2 innings as the starter, allowing six hits and four earned runs. He walked three and struck out three.
• Rookie Andrew Tringe (Montpelier, Vt./Montpelier) took the loss after pitching the decisive seventh inning, when he gave up four hits and three earned runs. Tringe is 0-1.
• Springfield finished with 14 hits, paced by LePere's three hits and two RBI, while Sorgi's home run was one of two extra-base hits by the Pride.
• Connor Caverly had a fine start with five innings pitched, allowing one hit and one unearned run. He struck out seven and walked three.
• Ryan Delaney picked up the win in relief, allowing three hits with three Ks in 2.1 innings of relief.

UP NEXT

• The Judges travel to New London, Connecticut, on Sunday for their first-ever meeting with Mitchell College at 1 p.m.