Wong Throws Senior Weekend Gem to Lead Softball to 7-3 Win Over NYU

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago softball team extended its win streak to six consecutive games as the Maroons defeated NYU 7-3 to open their senior weekend against the Violets.

NYU jumped out to a lead for just the second time in the last three weeks as the Violets took advantage of a pair of UChicago errors to push three runs across in the opening frame. The three first-inning runs are the most scored by NYU since scoring seven on March 18 against SUNY-Brockport in the 25-1 victory.

UChicago looked to respond in the bottom of the first as

Natalie Antin walked and

Audrey Hui doubled, but the Violets kept the Maroons off the board with a groundout and popout to end the inning. In the second inning, the UChicago offense finally came through. Following three consecutive singles by

Matilda Nelson,

Lakyn Wilkinson, and

Anna Jensen,

Madeline Murphy brought home the first run on a sacrifice fly, but once again, the Violets got out of the jam with the lead.

After a tough first inning,

Nicole Wong settled in and shut down the NYU offense. Wong retired 13 consecutive batters and only allowed two hits after the first three runs came across. In the fifth inning, the Maroons finally gave Wong the run support she deserved. After a single by

Sedona Ding and a walk by Antin, Hui lofted a ball deep down the left field line that fell fair and rolled all the way to the wall, bringing home both Ding and

Ashlee Boodoo, the pinch runner for Antin, to tie the game.

Olivia Cataldo then scored Hui on a groundout to take a 4-3 lead.

In the sixth inning, the Maroons provided more insurance runs as Jensen ripped a two-run single into center field, scoring both Wilkinson and

Melana Badea, and Murphy brought home

Brianna Leech on an NYU error.

Eleanor Johnson entered the game in the seventh and threw a three-up, three-down frame to seal the 7-3 victory.

At the dish,

Lakyn Wilkinson led the team with a 3-3 day, and

Audrey Hui and

Anna Jensen both added two hits and two RBIs to help the Maroons pick up the victory.

Wong earned the win in the circle with 6.0 innings pitched and four strikeouts while allowing just one earned run. Johnson picked up the hold with a three-up, three-down ninth.

With the win, the Maroons improve to 16-18 overall and 4-9 in UAA play. UChicago returns to action on Saturday afternoon as the Maroons battle NYU at 12 PM and 2 PM. The senior day ceremonies will take place between games on Saturday.