St. Louis, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis softball team won its UAA opener with a 5-3 victory over Brandeis on Friday afternoon. The Bears are now 13-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

It wasn't until the top of the fourth inning that the scoreless tie was broken, as Brandeis put up two runs to take the 2-0 lead.

Melissa Rothenberg hit a one-out single down the left field line. With two outs, Jolie Fujita singled to right field and advanced on the throw. A Jamie Pippin double to left field brought in both runners for the Judges.

The Bears, however, answered right back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Ashley Kennedy led off and reached base on an error by the pitcher. Natalia Pilpil laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Emily Talkow, who was pinch running for Kennedy, up a base. Nicole Hay drew a walk and both runners advanced a base on a passed ball.

Eimear Cunningham drove in Talkow and advanced Hay with a double to right center, prompting a pitching change for the Judges. On the next at-bat, Payton Irwin drilled a three-run homer to center field, giving the Bears a 4-2 edge.

WashU added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Maggie Baumstark hit a lead-off homerun to center field.

In the top of the seventh, Brandeis added one more run but could not put anything else together to tie.

Jolie Fujita led off with a double to right center and advanced to third on a Pippin grounder. An Amidori Anderson sac fly to left brought in Fujita cutting the Bears' lead to 5-3, but the final out was recorded in the next at-bat, giving WashU the win.

Hay went 1-for-2 with one run scored and a walk while Cunningham went 1-for-2 with one RBI. Baumstark finished 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored and Irwin was 1-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored.

Holly Stoner picked up the win in the circle, pitching a complete game with five hits, three runs and three strikeouts.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow with a double-header against Brandeis, beginning at 12 p.m.