The softball team, thanks in large part to the pitching of Emily Vaillette '10, has a record of 18-5-1 after winning four of five games last week.Vaillette pitched seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon against the Clark University Cougars to spur Brandeis to a 7-2 victory.

The Milford, N.H. native tallied a career-high 10 strikeouts in a single game while allowing only four hits and one walk in 124 pitches. Just one runner, in the fifth inning, advanced past second base with Vaillette on the mound.

With four years of experience in the pitching rotation at Brandeis, Vaillette is pleased with her team this year.

"I think this is the best Brandeis team I've had the opportunity to play on," she said. "We're really strong hitting . and . the entire [pitching] staff is doing really well."

Vaillette credits her successes to the strength of the Judges' defense.

"I wouldn't be able to throw as well as I do without my defense behind me," she stated.

On Sunday, the Judges returned to the diamond against Bowdoin College. Vaillette threw seven innings to guide Brandeis to victory in the first game. She allowed five hits in the win.

In preparation for the game, Vaillette retreats into her own "little zone."

"I'm really focused on each batter and what I'm going to throw to them," she said. "I try to not let anything rile me up and just stay calm."

The strategy proved to be successful: Vaillette's six-strikeout game was her team-leading 10th win of the season.

Looking toward the end of the season, Vaillette hopes the Judges will continue to be victorious and win a coveted NCAA bid.