The Case Western Reserve University softball team dropped a pair of games to begin the 2016 University Athletic Association Championship Tournament on Tuesday afternoon with a 3-1 loss to New York University and a 7-5 setback against fourth-ranked Emory University in 10 innings.

The Spartans dropped to 5-7 overall and 0-2 in the UAA, while the Violets improved to 2-4 for the season (1-1 UAA) and the Eagles imrpoved to 13-1 this season (2-0 UAA).

Game 1: NYU 3, CWRU 1
Despite out-hitting the Violets 8-5 and being first on the scoreboard with a run in top of the fifth, NYU rallied back in the bottom of the inning with three runs and would hold on to secure the victory.

The Spartans solo run in the top of the fifth came after sophomore second baseman Lindsey Robinson singled through the right side to score sophomore centerfielder Katie Wede. In the game, Robinson went three-for-four at bat and senior right fielder Kristen Klemmer went two-for-three.

Junior pitcher Annie Wennerberg pitched all six innings allowing just five hits and recording five strikeouts, despite taking the loss.

Game 2: #4 Emory 7, CWRU 5 (10 innings)
The Spartans pushed the fourth-ranked team in Division III to the brink in their second game of the day, but the Eagles would score a pair in the top of the 10th inning to prevail over Case Western Reserve.

The Spartans took a 4-0 lead after the first inning. Sophomore first baseman Maren Waldner scored CWRU's first run off a wild pitch allowing Wennerberg and sophomore third baseman Grace Tritchler to advance to second and third, respectively. Wede then singled, driving in the two. Senior catcher Meghann McMahon hit another single for the Spartans to score Wede, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Eagles cut the lead to a run with three in the top of the fourth, but Case Western Reserve responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, when Robinson singled to leftcenter to drive in Savi Medlang, and increase the lead to 5-3.

The Spartans remained in front until the sixth, when Emory's Janelle Turnquest hit a solo home run, and Alyssa Pollard drove in the game-tying run with two outs, knotting the score at 5-5.  CWRU had the potential game-winning run in scoring position in both the sixth and eighth innings, but could not plate the runner in either situation.  Emory would eventually score a pair in the top of the tenth, and despite getting the tying run on base in the 10th, the Spartans were unable to pull even.

The Spartans will continue to play in the UAA Championship Tournament on Wednesday, March 9 with a game against The University of Rochester (N.Y.) at 10:00 a.m. and round out the second day of competition against Brandeis University at 1:00 p.m.