The Justice

Media Credit: David Sheppard-Brick Pitcher Drew Brzozowski '10 delivers a pitch against Rivier College May 7 in the ECAC quarterfinals.

The last time the baseball team faced Roger Williams University at home April 24, the Judges trailed 4-0 before rallying behind outfielder Tony Deshler's '11 three hits and five RBIs en route to an 8-4 win.

Two weeks later in the semifinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Tournament at Roger Williams, Brandeis fell behind 4-1. Despite three hits from Deshler, the team was unable to mount a comeback, losing 7-1.

The Judges finished the season 19-19 after going 1-1 in the ECAC tournament. They had defeated Rivier College 5-0 May 7th at home in the opening round.

While the Judges were able to score six runs off Roger Williams junior starter Brian Hurld in the first meeting, senior Mike Malcolm held Brandeis to one run in eight innings in this game.

"[Malcolm] was probably topping off at [only] 80 [miles per hour], but he was hitting every spot that he wanted to," assistant coach Bryan Lambert '05 said. "He kept us off-balance."

The Judges scored first when second baseman John O'Brion '10 drove in Deshler with a two-out double to center field.

Aside from Deshler's two additional hits and walks to O'Brion and third baseman James Likis '10, Malcolm kept the Judges off-base for the rest of the game.

"[Malcolm] was pretty deceptive. He had a bunch of good off-speed pitches, and he had good command of his fastball," designated hitter Pat Nicholson '11 said.

Roger Williams scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning off Brandeis starter Rocco Toppi '08, including a three-run home run by rookie left fielder Zach Porter. All four runs came with two outs.

Toppi did not allow a run for the remainder of his outing, pitching five and 1/3 innings, but the Brandeis offense was unable to bring the team any closer.

"After the first inning, [Rocco] calmed down real well and got into a groove, and he pitched a great game," Nicholson said.

Brandeis benefited from a dominant pitching performance of its own in its first-round game, as starter Drew Brzozowski '10 threw seven and 2/3 shutout innings in the team's 5-0 win over Rivier.

Continued...

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