Bolstered by strong pitching and defense, the New York University softball team swept its two games against Brandeis University on Saturday, April 23, at the College of Staten Island.

The Violets (13-19, 7-10) defeated the visiting Judges (21-16, 7-12) by scores of 2-1 and 7-1 in the second and third games, respectively, of the University Athletic Association (UAA) four-game weekend series.

A pair of NYU pitchers, first Maggie Swan followed by Marina Egbert, hurled complete games en route to the sweep.

In the opener, Swan (6-6) only allowed the one run while giving up seven hits and striking out two batters. 

She was given all the support she would need in the fourth inning when the Violets scored both their runs on only one hit. A hit batsman and an error put two runners on to start the frame. Elisabeth Smith wound up scoring on a wild pitch, while the second run was plated on a single by Kalena Paredes. 

That was all Swan would need, as she gave up just the one run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Brandeis' Jolie Fujita. 

The only error NYU committed on the afternoon came with one out in the top of the seventh, putting a runner on first base. But, Swan retired the next two batters with first baseman Hannah Lee diving to catch a foul popup to end the contest.

"When you have strong pitching and strong defense, that's what helps you win games," said Head Coach Now-Allah James.

The same formula was intact for game two as Egbert (7-10) also allowed only one run and seven hits while striking out seven.

The Violets opened the scoring in the bottom of the first on Lee's RBI single.

After the Judges tied the game in the top of the second, the Violets plated two in the bottom of the third. Smith led off with a single and eventually scored on an error, while the second run came in on a sacrifice fly by Erin Scott.

NYU broke the game open in the fifth inning when it scored four runs. Smith again began the rally with a single. Then, after consecutive singles by Sophia Leon and Bella Dunning, Lee drove in two runs with another single. Dunning went on to score on a wild pitch and Paredes knocked in the final run with a single.

"Today we got the key hits when we needed them," James added. "But, what's most important is we're getting better everyday. We're growing as team and finishing up the season strong, which in turn will carry us into getting off to a good start next year."

The Violets complete their series with Brandeis on Sunday back at the College of Staten Island. It will also be Senior Day with first pitch set for 11:00am.