The Justice

Media Credit: Hsiao-Chi Pang

It was the sixth inning of the Brandeis softball team's second game against Framingham State College last Thursday, and starting pitcher Emily Vaillette '10 had just aggravated her groin muscle after first injuring it earlier the game. But with just an inning left until she could clinch the team's first no-hitter since 2006, she knew there was no way she was leaving the game.

"I wanted to finish that game more than anything," Vaillette said. "I think I would have stayed in [despite the no-hitter], but just the fact that I had a no-hitter going for me really helped me finish the game."

Vaillette stayed in and got the final outs of the game to complete her first collegiate no-hitter and the Judges' first seven-inning no-hitter in school history. Previous no-hitters have come in shortened six- or five-inning games. Vaillette said she realized about halfway through the game that she might be on the verge of history, but she tried not to let it affect her.

"We want [Vaillette] in her zone, and she was there. [Catcher Erin Ross '10] called a good game for her, and I think [Vaillette] just executed on her pitches," coach Jessica Johnson said. "The defense came up big a couple of times, and they made all of the routine plays behind her."

Vaillette allowed just one walk and had six strikeouts in the game, three of which occurred in succession in the third inning. For the season she is 4-6 with a 2.70 ERA, allowing a team-low 1.10 walks per game.

"I really worked on that throughout the years-the control. That's probably my best aspect of pitching, is that I have really good control," Vaillette said.

Last Friday, she did not need anyone's help, and by the time the no-hitter was completed she was just glad it was all over.

"[I felt] relief," Vaillette said. "I was getting kind of nervous towards the end, because I didn't want to blow it."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools