The Brandeis women's softball team wrapped up their annual Florida spring trip with seven wins and four losses. It has been a roller-coaster ride for the Judges in the early going this season, as they've compiled an odd resume of lopsided losses and impressive victories. The Judges kicked off their season by dropping both games of a double-header against Delaware Tech University. In the first game, The Judges were ahead 5-3 going into the ninth inning when Delaware Tech tied it in the bottom half of the ninth.

With the momentum in hand, Tech went on to record a surprising extra-inning victory. The second half of the double header wasn't nearly as competitive, as Delaware Tech blew the game open in the fifth inning with a seven-run outburst en route to an 8-0 victory. Fortunately for veteran Head Coach Mary Sullivan and the Judges, the Delaware Tech debacle won't count towards Brandeis' official record (Delaware is not a four-year institution).

The Judges showed a good deal of resiliency, rebounding to defeat UAA rival University of Rochester 5-3. Third baseman Felicity Hanks '04 went 2 for 4 and catcher Melissa Leber went 3 for 4, scoring two runs to lead the offensive attack. The next two contests quickly became contests that the Judges would like to forget, as they were trounced10-0 by Emory University before falling by eight runs (10-2) at the hands of Washington University. Brandeis put forth a strong performance against Case Western University, posting a solid 7-2 triumph. Leber again had a strong game, connecting for two hits and racking up two runs batted in. Centerfielder Sarah Albert '04 cracked three hits and knocked in a run. Young hurler Brianne Smith '06 pitched seven strong innings, allowing only five hits and two earned runs on her way to becoming the winning pitcher.

Brandeis went on to beat Rochester and Case Western the second time they played them. Against Rochester, the Judges held the Yellowjackets to just five hits in a highly-competitive 3-1 victory. Against Case Western, Brandeis won decisively (9-1) even though the Judges had only seven hits on the afternoon. Case Western committed four crucial errors that did not help their cause.

Brianne Smith again put forth a strong performance on the mound, as she pitched five effective innings, allowing only one earned run. Unfortunately, the Judges also had to face Emory University and Washington University again and lost to them by scores of 18-1 and 6-0, respectively.

The Judges were able to end their trip on a high note as they defeated Wesleyan University 13-9 and Mt.Holyoke 9-3 in their most recent contests. Both of those games took place in Fort Myers, the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox.

Saturday, the Judges travel to Worcester to face Clark University. Clark, which recently returned for a Spring Training trip of their own in Cape Coral, Florida.

The Cougars are 4-4 on the young season, with decisive wins over Massachusetts school Regis College (15-4) and Kenyon College (10-2).

Clark is a member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference.