Though the softball team (7-3) lost the first game of the Lady Pirate Classic in Hampton, Va., they went on to win the next five games — including the championship game against the host school, Hampton (7-16).
Central Connecticut State 6, Brown 5
The Bears started off slowly on Friday morning and allowed Central Connecticut State (4-5) to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. The Blue Devils stole two bases, including home, during the first inning and capitalized on a fielding error by Brown.
"Our energy level wasn't as high as it usually is," said Avery Silverstein '13. "Errors allowed them to score runs they shouldn't have."
It wasn't until the bottom of the seventh, when Brown trailed 6-1, that the Bears picked up their energy level. Brown scored four runs that inning, but it wasn't enough to overcome Central Connecticut State's lead.
Brown 12, Coppin State 1
Later that Friday, the Bears maintained their energy level from the end of the previous game and dominated Coppin State (9-5).
"We just came out really ready to play," said Alyssa Caplan '13. "We were ready, we came out and we all hit."
In the top of the third, Brown scored seven runs by hitting hard and capitalizing on four Eagle errors. With the bases loaded, Katie Rothamel '10 hit a double that brought home Silverstein, Caplan and Herald Sports Staff Writer Erika Mueller '13. Rothamel later hit a home run with two of her teammates on base, bringing her RBI total on the day to six.
Brown 12, Hampton 2
After rain on Friday night, Brown's early game on Saturday was canceled due to poor field conditions. But the Bears didn't let the rain dampen their spirits in their game later that day against Hampton.
Kate Strobel '12 led Brown offensively with a single, a triple and a home run. She scored three times, had two RBI and stole two bases.
"We took all the opportunities we could," Silverstein said. "The offense was really on."
With a record of 2-1 in the tournament, Brown entered the elimination bracket on Sunday in second place overall.
Brown 7, Arcadia 0
"We improved every game and we wanted to go 3-0 on Sunday," Silverstein said. "We had confidence that we could, we just had to keep the energy level high and stay confident."
The Bears continued to improve in the first elimination game against Arcadia (1-5). The star of the game was Kristie Chin '11, who pitched a perfect game and struck out eight batters with a flawless defense at her back. Offensively, the Bears continued to hit solidly, led by Rothamel with three hits, two runs and two RBI.
Brown 1, Coppin State 0
Brown's rematch against Coppin State turned into a pitchers' duel. Liz DiMascio '13 allowed only one hit in seven innings, and the Eagles' pitcher gave up two hits and one unearned run in the first inning. The lone run, scored by Kate Strobel '12, clinched the game and sent the Bears to the championship.
Brown 5, Hampton 4 (eight innings)
The Bears' rematch against Hampton likewise proved to be a tough battle.
"We knew that they were going to be really pumped up because they had just beaten Central Connecticut (State), who was ranked higher than them," Silverstein said. "They definitely came in with a lot more offensive power than we had seen in the game before."
Hampton scored first with a run in the opening inning. The score remained 1-0 until the sixth inning, when Caplan singled and brought home Stephanie Thompson '13 to tie the game.
In the top of the seventh, Hampton scored three runs to take a late 4-1 lead, but the Bears managed to answer with three runs of their own to tie the game and go into extra innings.
"We stayed really focused," Caplan said. "The conditions were awful, it was raining. But we shut them down."
After holding Hampton scoreless in the top of the eighth, Brown scored to win the game. Rothamel tallied the game-winning run on a rare walk-off passed ball.
"We were really happy with how we played," Silverstein said. "We're improving every game."
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