The Brandeis softball team (17-9 overall) defeated Salem State College 11-1 on Friday for their fourth straight home victory and Head Coach Mary Sulivan's 300th career win. Since droppping both games of a doubleheader against Fitchburg State College the Judges rebounded strongly to close the season on a high note.After deafeating Newbury College 22-0 and 17-0, behind Sarah Albert's '04 three home runs and first win of the season in the first game, and Brianne Smith's '06 five-hitter in the second game, the Judges fell to Tufts University 11-3. The Jumbos (20-10 overall) were a very tough opponent for the Judges as evidenced by their 16-hit outburst. Although Smith suffered the loss, there were several bright spots for the Judges as they played an error-free game and Albert had two RBI.

"Newbury was a very weak team and it is easy to play down to the level of that type of team, but we didn't do that, outfielder Evie Ullman '03 said.

"In spite of the lack of competition, we still played our 'A' game against Newbury and we played with class. We didn't treat the game as a joke. We came out strong in the beginning, but when they put in a new pitcher, we had dificulty producing our offense. Then when Tufts started hitting off Bri, we really lost our composure in the field. with the exception of our shortstop, Mari Levine '06, who made some really fantastic plays in the field, and Bri, who, as always, gave it her all, we pretty much let tufts psyche us out and we just laid down and died. that was definitely not characteristic of our team. But we're going to let that go and finish up the season strong," Ullman exclaimed.

The next day the Judges had a very strong performance against Curry College, emerging victorious with a final score of 11-2. Albert again had an impressive day at the plate as she went 3-3 and knocked in three RBI. Ullman added to the offensive explosion with her three -run homer and second baseman Emily Watterworth '04 and third baseman Elissa Glucksman '06 each had an RBI double. Smith pitched a very solid game, going five innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out four.

"After a difficult loss to Tufts University, we turned it around and powered up the bats for solid win against Curry College," Albert said. Everyone's attitude seemed to be up and focused on the game which made a big difference.

On Friday, the Judges came away with an 11-1 win over Salem State College. The Judges again had a very impressive day at the plate, clubbing four home runs. Smith hit the first home run in the first inning, a preview of what was to come. Albert, Ullman, and Watterworth each hit home runs in what was a seven-run second inning. Watterworth later added an RBI single in the fourth and Levine had an RBI single of her own in the fourth also.

The Judges have had more good news recently as catcher Melissa Leber '03 was named to the all-UAA softball first team and Levine, Smith and Albert were named to the all-UAA second team. The Judges were unable to play their most recently scheduled game against Eastern Nazarene College due to harsh weather. The Judges ended the season Sunday by splitting a doubleheader with Bates College.

The Bobcats, in the midst of a disappointing season, have won just six games (and lost 15) and were coming off a lopsided doubleheader loss to Colby College on Friday by a combined score of 9-3. In the first game of the double-dip, Brandeis cruised on the strength of a first-inning three-run home run by Sara Albert '04, who also went deep to lead off the third frame.

The Judges lost the second game 6-3, as a fluke sacrifice fly allowed Bates' Dayna Krakower to score from third with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third.