While soccer matches often end in ties, softball games rarely do. However, due to inclement weather, the softball team tied the University of New England 7-7 in the runner-up contest of the Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Division III Tournament on May 15. "It was a fun game," coach Jessica Johnson said. "It wasn't the prettiest game, but it was a fun game considering the conditions and everything. It was nice to see the battle back and forth and everything. It was probably only fitting that it ended up in a tie."

The Judges, who finished the season 20-18-1, lost to Keene State College 11-1 the day after defeating UNE 5-1 earlier the same day. They also defeated Elms College 9-1 in the quarterfinals on May 11.

In the tie against UNE, the Judges were up 6-4 going into the top of the seventh inning. However, the Nor'easters scored three runs with two outs off of left-hander Casey Ducinski '13, who pitched a complete game for the Judges.

Despite the Judges giving up seven runs, only three of the runs allowed by Ducinski were earned. The Judges committed four errors in the game.

Junior catcher Ashley Gott hit a two-run single and scored after shortstop Brittany Grimm '12 overthrew the ball hit by sophomore first baseman Megan Gauger.

Despite being down one run, the Judges battled back in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Melissa Nolan '14 singled to start the rally, and outfielder Lauren Porcaro '12 pinch ran for Nolan and advanced to second base after a wild pitch. After right fielder Samantha Gajewski '12 sacrificed Porcaro to third base and a walk by left fielder Maxie Hirschler '12, third baseman Danielle Lavallee '11 hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Porcaro.

On the play, Hirschler advanced to third base on an overthrow. Although second baseman Leah McWiliams '14 also walked and stole second base, designated player Marianne Specker '12 flied out to center field to end the inning and the game.

Overall, Johnson thought the playing conditions played a huge role over the course of the game.

"It was unfortunate that the pitchers had to pitch in those conditions," she said. "We were out cleaning their cleats every so often. There was no footing whatsoever for the fielders or the batters or anybody. Kids were sliding to and past bases by 10 to 15 feet."

Before earning the tie against UNE, the Judges surrendered two runs in the first inning and eight runs in the second inning in the team's 11-1 five-inning loss to Keene State. Nolan pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs, four of which were earned. She also walked four batters and struck out two.

Right-hander Caroline Miller '12 came in for Nolan and gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings of work. Although three of the four runs were earned, Miller also walked more batters than she struck out, with two walks and one strikeout.

In the first game against UNE, Ducinski pitched a complete game five-hitter to lead the Judges. She struck out and walked one Nor'easter in the win.

The Judges scored three runs in the second inning and two runs in the sixth inning to record the victory. Specker drove in two runners for the Judges, and eight of the Judges' 10 players in the lineup recorded at least one hit.

In the first game of the ECACs, the Judges scored five of their nine runs in the first inning. Nolan and first baseman Courtney Kelley '11 combined for six of the team's RBIs.

Ducinski, Miller and Nolan combined to allow two hits over the course of five innings, while striking out five batters.

With the season now over, the Judges will graduate seniors Lavallee, Kelley, outfielder Carly Schmand and second baseman Melissa Cagar, all of whom were captains for the Judges this season.

"It'll be tough [to replace them]," Johnson said. "They're my first recruiting class, so I've known them since they were seniors in high school, if not before that. They've brought a lot to the table in terms of leadership, commitment, dedication, you name it. It's all been positive."

For next season, Johnson has her eyes set on the team qualifying for the postseason and improving their play from this year.

"We set the bar every year that we're going to make one postseason or the other and come out with a winning record," she said. "I do think overall that we can play better ball than we played this year. I feel that we underachieved for the most part. So we need to regroup and get everyone back on track.