The No. 20 softball team's winning ways continued on Saturday as they defeated Wesleyan University (Conn.) 8-0 and 17-4 in a doubleheader. With two wins over Wheaton College on Wednesday, the Judges improve their record to 22-5-1 overall on the season. Catcher Erin Ross '10 led the team in the doubleheader against Wesleyan, scoring three runs and going 6-7 with four RBIs.

Coach Jessica Johnson noted Ross' impressive performances against Wesleyan and Wheaton.

"She had a spectacular week, especially at the plate," said Johnson. "When Erin is focused she can do it all: . lay a bunt or hit a home run."

In the second game against Weselyan, the Judges dictated play.

Johnson's squad, feeding off the momentum of its first victory, dominated the Cardinals as they batted through the order twice to knock in 13 runs off of 11 hits. Catcher/designated player Stacy Berg '13, Ross, third baseman Brittany Grimm '12 and right fielder Carly Schmand '11 contributed two hits each in the first inning.

Second baseman Melisa Cagar '11 recorded the first hit of the game to left field for a single before stealing second. With Cagar in scoring position, first baseman Marianne Specker '12 walked. Grimm earned her first RBI of the game with a single to shortstop to bring Cagar home.

Third baseman Lauren Lavallee '11 walked following a two-run single by Ross to load the bases. Lauren Porcaro '12 was then hit by a pitch to bring Berg home.

Schmand stepped to the plate to send the ball into left field for an RBI single, and shortstop Chelsea Korp '10 exploited the Judges' on- base positioning to add an RBI of her own off of a single to left field. Two more runs would score off of a single by Specker.

A second steal of the inning by Cagar, advancing her to third, allowed Specker to steal second because of a throwing error by the Cardinals. Another hit by Grimm and a double by Berg brought in another pair of runs for the Judges. Ross' second hit of the inning, a double to left-center, allowed Berg to reach home before Ross herself completed the circuit off a single by Schmand.

With 13 runs under their belts, the Judges continued the pounding in the second inning. Specker's two-run homer combined with an RBI by outfielder Lara Hirschler '12 rounded the Judges' lead to 16-0.

Wesleyan responded in the third inning with four runs of its own. The first three were the result of a walk and two singles to load the bases before senior left fielder Chrissy Bello singled to right field, scoring three. A wild pitch by Allie Mussen '10 allowed the Cardinals to score their fourth run of the game.

Undeterred, the Judges responded with their 17th run of the game in the fourth. A sacrifice fly by Lavallee allowed Ross to cross the plate.

The unrelenting barrage of offense provided by the Judges resulted in a mercy rule call to end the contest in five innings.

Johnson credited the depth of the team for the Judges' decisive victory.

"First and foremost, this team is really deep," she said. "Our starting ten or so are incredibly talented, and there is not much difference between those starting ten and those behind them. "

The squad started the day strong in its first game against Wesleyan when an error by the Cardinals allowed Grimm to reach base. Berg capitalized on the mistake with a two-run homer, her 37th RBI of the season and ninth home run.

Emily Vaillette '10 once again served as a rock for the Judges with her 12th victory of the season. Vaillette notched six strike outs and allowed only four hits in the first six innings of the game. Vaillette allowed only four Wesleyan players on-base.

Going into the seventh inning, Brandeis swung into action. Ross ledoff the inning with a solo home run to increase the lead to three.

Ross' hit was followed by a string of run-scoring plays including a two-run single by Specker, an RBI by Korp on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly by Cagar. Second baseman/catcher Megan DeNubila '12 sealed the game with an RBI double to right-center.

On Wednesday, the Judges defeated Wheaton in a doubleheader with scores of 9-1 and 11-4.

Berg was the star for the Judges in the two games, going 5-5 with two home runs, six RBIs and five runs scored.

"[Berg] has been a solid number [number] four [hitter] at the plate all year," Johnson said. "And she's good at not being too hungry at the plate. Whether it's to poke one in or knock one out 250 [feet] ... she can do it all."

The Judges' next play Eastern Connecticut State University in a doubleheader at home on Thursday.