Since 2007, no Brandeis softball pitchers has thrown a single no-hitter. After last weekend's action, two pitchers have now tossed no-hitters in as many weeks. Casey Ducinski '13 became the latest Brandeis pitcher to toss a no-hitter, leading the Judges to an 8-0 win over Emerson College last Sunday."It was funny, the first game we lost, then we came back and blew by them in the first inning. I didn't even know I had thrown a no-hitter until my sister texted me later," said Ducinski.

Ducinski is now 2-2 on the year in her first season in the rotation. She is also second on the team with a 5.42 ERA and leads the team in win-loss percentage and is second in wins.

Ducinski and Melissa Nolan '14, who threw a no-hitter 2 weeks ago, are both in their first year in the rotation, and both have had strong starts to their collegiate careers so far this season. Ducinski credited her off-season work for her early success.

"I worked really hard over the summer, and when I came back, coach [Jessica Johnson] told me I had improved," Ducinski explained. "My team was a lot more confident in me, and my coach as well."

Despite the strong play of Nolan and Ducinski, the softball team has struggled so far and is only 5-10. However, Ducinski believes that the team will turn it around.

"We just need to have confidence in each other," she said. "We know we can do it, and we need to come together as a team and cheer for each other. We really just need a more positive attitude."

Ducinski says that her transition to the mound has also changed her role on the team. "When I'm on the mound and a teammate makes an effort and they [get] down on themselves, I try to pick them up and keep composure," she said. "I say, 'Hey, don't worry about it, I got you.' All we can do is move forward, and we have try and step forward and execute.