After a slow start to the season, the baseball team won its last three games in its yearly Florida swing, moving its record to 3-3 on the year. The squad lost twice to Davenport University and once to Augustana College over February break before defeating Farmingdale State College once and Grove City College twice. The Judges had five hitters bat over .300 on the trip. Utility Pat Nicholson '11 hit .429 in his two games, while outfielder Nick Cortese '13 and catcher/outfielder Kenny Destremps '12 both started all six games and hit at .381 clips. Catcher Chris Ferro '13 hit .368 on the trip and tied for the team lead with five runs with Destremps and shortstop/outfielder Tony Deshler '11. First baseman Eric Rosenberg '11 hit .313 and also knocked in the game-winning runs in the team's first two games. A two-run Deschler single plated the tying and winning runs in the last game.On the pitching side, Nicholson started twice, allowing just one run in eight innings of work. Mike Swerdloff '13 threw a complete game in his only start and left Florida with a 1.74 ERA. Rookie Colin Markel '14 was the team's top relief pitcher, throwing five shutout innings in three appearances.

Outfielder Zach Malis '12 said that the team was excited about the results in Florida, as well as the team's chances for the rest of the season.

"Although we did not start off great in the beginning of the week, we really came together and won our last three games," he said. "We are hoping to take that momentum and the camaraderie we showed into the [University Athletic Association] conference tournament and the rest of the year. The team is definitely gelling and running on all cylinders in hopes of a successful season. We have great leadership at the top, from the coaches and upperclassmen, and the younger players are embracing the culture that Brandeis baseball tries to exemplify. We think this can be a special season for our team."

The team is back in Florida this week and will compete in the UAA tournament beginning Thursday against Emory University.

Natalie Shushan contributed

reporting.