LA VERNE, Calif. – The Brandeis University softball team opened its season with its annual February Break trip to California today. The Judges dropped both ends of their doubleheader against the University of La Verne, 7-5 in the opener and 9-1 in the second game.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 0-2.
• La Verne, 2-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• The Leopards jumped out quickly in the opener. After the first two hitters reached on a hit-by-pitch and an error on a bunt attempt, senior catcher Alyssa Campbell blasted a three-run home run to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.
• Brandeis fought back against La Verne, but could never get over the hump to take the lead.
• The Judges scored twice in the third inning, with senior catcher Tristan Boyer (Cheapeake, Va./Grassfield) doubling home sophomore Brooke Boehmer (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon). Boyer scored on a hit by junior Maddie Manes (San Clemente, Calif./San Juan Hills) to get Brandeis within 3-2.
• The hosts went ahead, 5-2, in the fourth after two singles and two stolen bases put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly and wild pitch helped reestablish the three-run lead.
• Judge junior CF Bells Burdenski (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo) drove in a run with a single in the sixth, but La Verne's Ashley Rodriguez answered with a two-run double in the bottom of the frame that made it 7-3.
• Those two insurance runs proved vital, as Manes knocked in two unearned runs in the seventh inning, but the Judges could not get any closer.

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• Brandeis got an early run in the top of the first of game one, as Manes hit a one-out single and Burdenski followed with a walk. Manes moved up on a flyout and Burdenski stole the open base to put two in scoring position.
• Boehmer singled to right to open the scoring, but La Verne cut down Burdenski at the plate trying to add a second run.
• The Leopards responded in the bottom of the frame, scoring five times. They drew two walks to lead off the game, and Rodriguez followed up with La Verne's second three-run home run of the day.
• They added two more runs thanks to a dropped third strike that extended the inning, with a come-backer that was thrown away pushed the ULV lead to 5-1.
• The hosts would get back-to-back doubles to score a run in the fourth.
• In the fifth, they reached the eight-run rule by scoring three times on four hits, a walk, and a hit batter.
• The Leopard pitchers Kirsten Sanchez and Jaidynn Alvarez allowed just one Brandeis baserunner after the first inning to help secure the win.

UP NEXT

• The Judges continue their West Coast trip for February break tomorrow at 3 Eastern (12 Pacific) at Occidental College.