The Emory softball team opened the final home weekend of the regular season on a sour note Friday, dropping both games of a doubleheader to Brandeis University.  The Judges claimed a pair of extra-inning affairs, topping Emory 4-1 in eight frames in the opener before registering an eight-inning, 5-4 triumph in the nightcap.  Emory stands 21-13 overall, 4-6 in the University Athletic Association, while BU upped its overall slate to 8-5, 3-0 in the league.

In the first game, a three-run homer in the top of the eighth by PJ Ross snapped a 1-1 deadlock to give the Judges the win.  Both teams finished with eight hits and nine runners left on base. Freshman Jessie Michael and sophomore Sam Vincent each collected a pair of safeties with Michael scoring Emory's lone run in the bottom of the fourth when she crossed the plate from second base following a single by Vincent and a subsequent throwing error by the Brandeis catcher.  Emory had a chance to capture the win in the bottom of the seventh when it had runners at the corners with one out, but could not capitalize on the opportunity. Freshman Sami Feller took the loss in the circle, her first against five wins, while Scottie Todd when all eight innings for the Judges striking out two.

The finale saw a total of 20 base-on-balls issued between pitching staffs. Emory finished with four hits while Brandeis registered five.  As in the first game, plenty of runners were stranded with the Eagles leaving 13 on base and the Judges 10.  Without the aid of a hit, Emory scored single runs in the second, third and fifth innings.  The Eagles plated their first two scores as a result of a wild pitches while a bases-loaded walk to junior Janelle Turnquest scored sophomore Cassie Baca in the fifth. Trailing by a 3-2 count in the top of the sixth, Brandeis generated a pair of runs after the first two batters were retired.  Back-to-back walks set the stage for a two-run double by Lehtonen, putting the Judges ahead, 4-3.  Emory battled back to knot the score in its half of the inning when a bases-loaded walk to freshman Jessy McLean scored classmate Greta Wilker, who opened the frame with a base-on-balls. The Eagles has a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the bottom of the seventh, but Todd, who came on in relief, induced a fly out and groundout to quell the Emory rally. Brandeis scored the winning run without a hit, using four walks to come away with the win.

The Eagles and Brandeis will close out its four-game series on Saturday at the Emory Softball with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm.  Senior Day ceremonies will be held recognizing the contributions of Brittany File, Amy Wray and Taylor Forte.