Softball Splits First Day in Waltham

WALTHAM, Mass. - - The University of Chicago softball team split the day in Massachusetts to begin its series against Brandeis University. After falling behind in game one, the Maroons capitalized on their 13 hits to take the win in game two.

Game 1: Brandeis 7, UChicago 2

In the opening game of the day, UChicago struggled at the plate as Brandeis opened the scoring early, notching three runs in the first two innings.

Heading into the top of the third inning, the Maroons found a bit of offensive momentum to cut the lead to one. With one Maroon on base,

Natalie Antin smashed her third homer of the year to make it a 3-2 ballgame.

No team scored again until Brandeis capitalized on major hits in the bottom of the fifth. Jumping out to a 6-2 lead,

Eleanor Johnson came into the circle for UChicago and held the Judges to one run as they loaded the bases for the second time in the inning. After the completion of the bottom of the inning, Brandeis led 7-2.

The Maroons struggled to find hits through the final two innings, but Johnson held down the Judges on the defensive end. In Brandeis' final inning of offense in the sixth, the freshman retired all three batters she faced to close the scoring effort for the home team.

Antin led UChicago's offense with one run, one hit, and two RBIs in three at-bats. In the circle, Johnson earned two strikeouts against the five total batters she faced in her 1.1 innings of work.

Game 2: UChicago 8, Brandeis 3

After struggling to find their offense in the first game of the day, UChicago found its groove early in game two.

At the top of the lineup,

Madeline Murphy and

Natalie Antin singled to give UChicago an opportunity to bring a run home with runners at first and second.

Audrey Hui then reached on a fielder's choice, as the Maroons loaded the bases for the first time in the series. After Murphy was out at home, the dual threat,

Eleanor Johnson, singled to the shortstop, brining home both Antin and Hui. Heading into the bottom of the first, the Maroons led 2-0.

Both offenses were shut out through the next two innings as the pitchers took over.

Alana Kimball started her strong outing, retiring five of the nine batters she faced. The Maroons' defensive pressure helped their offensive aggression, as they jumped out to their biggest lead of the day in the next inning.

With one Maroon on base,

Melana Badea ripped a single through the right side to stretch UChicago's lead to two. Before Cataldo came to the plate, the Maroons loaded the bases for the second time. Cataldo capitalized, smashing a two-RBI single and putting the Maroons up 5-1 after four innings.

Dominantly, Kimball recorded another quick three-up, three-down inning to keep UChicago rolling in the bottom of the fourth.

After being held scoreless so far in the game, Brandeis cut the deficit to two after a three-run inning in the bottom of the fifth. The Judges were forced to leave one base as Johnson retired her final batter with a pop-up to the shortstop.

UChicago extended its lead in the final inning to add some much-needed cushion over the Judges. The Maroons scored one off an RBI single by Murphy to make it a three-run game. As Brandeis switched pitchers, UChicago still found a way to score as Hui doubled down the left field line to bring home two runs.

Leading 8-3, Johnson secured the save, retiring three of the last four Brandeis batters at the plate.

Murphy and Cataldo led the offense with three hits on five plate appearances, combining for three RBIs.

Brianna Leech followed next, recording two hits and a run in her four at-bats.

In the circle, Kimball was awarded the win, allowing a single run in her four innings of work. Johnson earned the save, facing 13 total batters in just 3.0 innings of work, and allowing just three hits.

The Maroons shift their focus to their final game of the season tomorrow afternoon. They'll take on the Judges again, looking to close out their final series with a win. The opening pitch is set for 12 pm EST.