Entering the final inning down 5-3 in the championship round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament against second-seeded Keene State College May 11, the softball team knew if they won, they would claim the program's first-ever ECAC title. If they lost, however, they would have to play their third game of the day to determine a tournament winner."We wanted to go home, we wanted that to be it," pitcher Kate Streilein '08 said.

Three hits and one error later, the Judges completed a 6-5 comeback victory over the visiting Owls when shortstop Chelsea Korp '10 knocked in the tying and go-ahead runs with a bases-loaded single down the third-base line.

"I was struggling all day. I knew my team wanted me to come through, and for once today I just went up there with a clear mind and just went after the ball," said Korp, who had faltered in a bases-loaded situation with two outs in the third inning when she hit into a fielder's choice.

The Judges finished the season with a 38-9-1 record, marking the most wins in Brandeis Athletics history. The squad won three games earlier in the tournament before its final victory against Keene State.

Streilein was named tournament Most Valuable Player after winning all four postseason games and going seven for 13-a .538 average-at the plate.

Down 1-0, the top-seeded Judges answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs off senior pitcher Jessica Starkey. Second baseman Melisa Cagar '11 led off with a home run to left center field to tie the game at one. A sacrifice bunt by pitcher Natalie Volpe '08 later in the inning scored right fielder Erin Thorn '11 to give Brandeis a 2-1 lead.

Keene State regained the advantage in the third inning on a two-run homer by junior designated hitter Katie Allenson, but Volpe escaped a bases-loaded jam by striking out senior first baseman Kaity Conklin to end the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Volpe tied the score at three on a sacrifice fly against first-year pitcher Jessie Williams.

The Owls scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-3 lead, and the Judges failed to respond until the final inning.

Streilein, who had replaced Volpe on the mound in the sixth, led off the bottom of the seventh with a single. Volpe drew a walk one at-bat later, and third baseman Danielle Lavallee '11 reached first base on an error in left field to load the bases.

Pinch hitter Allie Mussen '10 followed with a bloop single to center field, which cut Keene's lead to one and set the stage for Korp's heroics.

"For [Korp], I think the faster pitching, she does better with that, and that made the difference, and she got on that ball really, really hard," coach Jessica Johnson said. "I think [Keene State senior pitcher Ashlee Nicholson] probably put it inside, which is what [Korp] loves."

Earlier in the day, Brandeis had beaten Keene State 5-3, earning another come-from-behind victory over the Owls. Keene State scored three unearned runs off Streilein in the first inning after a two-out error by Korp, but a five-run Judges' fourth inning, highlighted by Cagar's two-run single, put them ahead for good.

There was no need for a Judges comeback May 10 in their 6-0 victory over fourth-seeded Western New England College. Streilein led the way on the mound, surrendering just two hits and striking out 10 over six innings of work. She also went two-for-three at the plate with two RBIs in the first inning, while catcher Erin Ross '10 added three RBIs.

In Brandeis' first game of the tournament May 7 against eighth-seeded Emerson College, an RBI single by sophomore right fielder Bridget Farago put the Lions ahead 1-0 in the top of the third inning. Streilein answered in the bottom of the inning with a home run over the centerfield fence to tie the score at one.

"I was just mad," Streilein said.

After Streilein led off the sixth inning with an infield single, Ross drilled an RBI double down the left field line to complete the 2-1 comeback.

"I don't think we adjusted to their pitching at all. Thankfully . Kate's home run and then stringing the hits together-Erin Ross comes through-so that worked out for us," Johnson said.

After a record-breaking season that included a 23-game win streak, the Judges will lose four seniors to graduation: Streilein, who was named a second team all-American, the first Brandeis softball player to receive that designation; Volpe, who was a third-team All-New England selection; and utility players Danielle Mayer '08 and Amelia Schimmel '08

"[The fact that I've played my last collegiate softball game] will [register] tomorrow when I have no softball, but as of right now, no, it hasn't hit me," Streilein said after the championship victory.



-Mike Prada contributed reporting