Box Score

KEENE, N.H. -- Eight different players recorded a hit and sophomore pitcher Casey Ducinski (Duxbury, Mass.) limited the University of New England to just five hits as Brandeis University picked up a 5-1 victory in game two of the double elimination phase of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Softball Championship, contested Saturday afternoon at the Owl Athletic Complex on the campus of Keene State College.

The third-seeded Nor'easters jumped in front in the top of the second, started by a lead-off single up the middle from sophomore Erin Grover (Biddeford, Maine). After advancing to second on a wild pitch, and two outs, Grover came around to score on an RBI single by senior Stephanie Podolski (Coventry, Conn.).

Brandeis -- the second seed -- bounced right back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three times to grab the advantage. A trio of singles to the outfield loaded the bases with no outs, and, following a pop out, two infield singles sandwiched around a ground out did the damage for the Judges (20-17).

From there, Ducinski allowed two hits in the final five innings -- both to Grover, who finished 3-for-3 in the game. The left-hander was supported well by the defense behind her, as the last 15 outs were recorded in the field.

The Judges added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Maxie Hirschler (Bellamore, N.Y.) tallied her second hit of the game with a one-out double to right-center, and scored after a single up the middle on the next play. Following the second out of the frame, junior Marianne Specker (South Windsor, Conn.) knocked a double to the gap in right-center to plate the fifth Brandeis run.

For UNE (28-18), senior Amber Zablowsky (Rochester, Mass.) was charged with just her third setback of the season in 16 decisions (13-3).


To view the recap of UNE's second game of the day against Simmons College, click HERE.