Softball Comes up Short in Series Opener Against Case Western

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago softball team suffered an 11-3 loss to Case Western Reserve on Friday night to open the UAA series.

Nicole Wong had an up and down day in the circle as she held the Spartans off the board in the first two innings after getting out of jams in both innings. After a two-out walk and double to put two runners in scoring position with two outs, Wong forced Kate Coonan to fly out to right field to end the threat. Then, in the second inning, the Spartans put their first two runners on base with a single and UChicago error. Following a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position, Wong struck out a batter and forced a groundout to end the threat once again.

The Spartans' offense finally came through in the next two innings with three runs in the third and two runs in the fourth, but the Maroons struck back with a rally in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Audrey Hui led off with a single to start the rally. Then, following a groundout and a flyout,

Lakyn Wilkinson and

Olivia Cataldo hit back-to-back home runs, cutting the lead to 5-3. Wilkinson launched a two-run bomb over the left field wall, and Cataldo ripped the very next pitch over the centerfield fence to keep the rally going.

Despite the rally in the fourth, Case Western answered right back with six more runs in the fifth inning to complete the 11-3 victory.

Audrey Hui led the offensive attack with a perfect 3-3 day at the dish, recording her 100th career hit.

With the loss, the Maroons fall to 10-17 overall and 2-8 in UAA play. UChicago will return to the field on Saturday for a doubleheader at 12 PM and 2 PM to close out the series with the Spartans.