WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University softball carried a shutout into the final inning, but a four-run seventh by eighth-ranked Washington University in St. Louis proved to be the difference in a 4-2 setback on Friday afternoon at Marcus Field.
TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 18-12, 5-5 UAA.
• Washington University, 20-3-1, 8-2 UAA, ranked #8 in Division III. 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams were locked in a pitcher's duel early, as neither side recorded a hit until the fourth inning and the game remained scoreless through five.
• The Bears threatened in the top of the sixth, with two consecutive singles, and a walk to load the bases with two outs. However, a pop-up to center field ended their scoring chances.
• Brandeis broke through in the sixth inning. With two outs, junior Brooke Boehmer (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Mount Lebanon) singled to right field, and sophomore Jordan Wallace (Howell, N.J. / Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.)) followed with a two-run home run to give the Judges a 2-0 lead.
• WashU responded in the seventh, capitalizing on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. After a hit by pitch and a single to center field put the tying runs on base, Elena Locascio brought in the Bears' first run with a sacrifice bunt. Kennedy Grippo then tied the game with an RBI double, and Julia Sullo followed with an RBI single to give Washington its first lead of the day. An RBI double from Julia Nicholus added insurance, extending the lead to 4-2.
• Brandeis put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, with a walk and a single by junior Katie Baydian (Massapequa, N.Y. / Our Lady of Mercy Acad.), but the rally fell short as WashU closed out the win.

 
IN THE CIRCLE

• Senior starter Ragini Kannan (Westford, Mass. / Westford Academy) was strong through six innings for Brandeis, holding Washington scoreless before the Bears broke through in the seventh.
• She allowed seven hits while striking out five, but her 4 runs allowed gave her the loss, dropping her record to 6-4 on the season.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Wallace provided the biggest offensive spark for Brandeis, going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run - her sixth home run of the season. Wallace now has a UAA-leading 52 RBI on the season.
• Baydian led the Judges with two hits, while Boehmer and senior Bells Burdenski (San Diego, Calif. / Rancho Bernardo) each added a hit.
• Brandeis finished with five hits but struck out 12 times, while Washington totaled seven hits, with four in the decisive seventh inning.

 
UP NEXT

• The Judges will look to bounce back as the UAA series continues with a doubleheader tomorrow, with first pitch at 12 p.m. They will celebrate Senior Day before the game.