Blue Softball Rolls to Sweep Over Brandeis

WALTHAM, Mass.  — The Wellesley College softball team picked up a doubleheader sweep against local-rival Brandeis University on Wednesday afternoon. The Blue took game one, 9-6, and then won the night cap, 11-1, in five innings. 

Wellesley improves to 8-6 overall, running its win streak to six games and staying undefeated in New England. Brandeis falls to 10-8 with the losses. 

In game one, Wellesley used a big sixth inning to rally back from a 4-1 deficit, taking the game, 9-6. The Blue jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI single from senior Jayne Ellis, before Brandeis tied it up in the bottom of the third on a Madison Gagnon single. 

Brandeis took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, as a three-run home run from Anya Kamber made it 4-1 Brandeis. However, Wellesley immediately went back to work, using back-to-back home runs to tie the game and then striking for three more. Ellis led off the inning with a walk, before Emilyrose Havrilla drove her home with a home run to left center. Senior Jennifer Migliore followed with another Blue home run, making it 4-4. Wellesley then took the lead using three doubles and a walk to take an 8-4 lead. First-year Ashtyn Coleman, sophomore Jaclyn Tsang, and Ellis each hit two-baggers in the inning. 

The hosts got two runs back in the bottom of the sixth, using an RBI groundout and a Wellesley miscue to make it 8-6. However, the Blue would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single from sophomore Abby Casey, setting the final to 9-6 Wellesley. 

Ellis and Migliore each went 2-for-3, with Ellis driving in three runs for the Blue. Havrilla picked up two RBI in the game, while Coleman, Tsang, Migliore, and Casey each drove in runs. In the circle, senior Lindsay Johnson got the win, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts. 

Brandeis was paced by a three-hit performance from Amanda Genovese, while Madison Gagnon added two hits and Kamber drove in four runs. 

In game two, Blue sophomore Amber Braun held the Judges to just one hit and the Blue offense pounded out 13 hits, en route to an 11-1 victory in five innings. Braun threw just 54 pitches, 36 for strikes, recording her fourth win of the season. 

Wellesley scored early and often, putting up five runs in the first inning, four in the second, and two in the fifth to earn the mercy-rule win.

Rookie Anna Pisac drove in four of the Blue's 11 runs with a pair of hits, while Ashtyn Coleman was 2-for-2 with two hits, two walks, and two RBI. Sophomore Maria LaBouyer, Ellis, and Havrilla, all added two hits in the win.

Wellesley next faces Babson in a key NEWMAC showdown on Friday at home at 3:00pm. Brandeis returns to action tomorrow against Endicott College for a 3:00pm doubleheader at home.