The Case Western Reserve University softball team opened its 2021 season schedule with a sweep over Walsh University on Saturday at Mather Park in Cleveland, Ohio, picking up an 11-3 win in five innings over Walsh in the early contest, and a 7-6 victory over the Cavaliers in the late affair.

The Spartans improved to 2-0 with Saturday's doubleheader sweep.

Senior Arisa Cleaveland led the Spartans at the plate with a four-for-six effort including three runs scored and two runs batted in, while senior Sarah Miller was three-for-six with one home run and two runs batted in on the day.

Game 1: CWRU 11, Walsh 3 (5 innings)
The Spartans opened their offensive scoring in dramatic fashion during the first game, as Miller leadoff the bottom of the first with a solo home run to right field that hit the scoreboard. CWRU continued the scoring in that inning as they added five more runs to lead 6-0 after one inning of play.

After a run by Walsh in the top of the second, the score remained 6-1 until the bottom of the fourth when the Spartans added to their lead. Junior Liv Thomas roped a single down the right field line that scored Miller and Cleaveland, pushing the CWRU advantage to 8-1. The Spartans added two more runs in the inning off of an RBI double from senior Dusstyn Reynolds and a RBI single from sophomore Amanda Riely.

The Cavaliers struck for two runs in the top of the fifth to cut the Spartan lead to 10-3, but once again the Spartans answered in the bottom half of the inning to put the run-rule into effect. Cleaveland hit a single through the right side of the infield that drove in senior Sydney Wagner from second.

Senior Sidney Brannam started and pitched four innings, holding Walsh to one unearned run on two hits and two walks, while striking out two batters. It was her first win of the season. First-year Jenna Jaklich appeared for the last inning in relief, allowing two runs on three hits.

Game 2: CWRU 7, Walsh 6
Walsh opened the scoring in the late contest, as they scored a run in the first and third innings. The Spartan offense then came alive in the bottom of the third as they scored five runs to take the 5-2 lead. Riely laced a two-run RBI double to center field that scored Cleaveland and sophomore Carli Tucci. First-year KaiLi Gross then stepped to the plate and launched her first collegiate home run, a three-run shot to right field.

The Cavaliers cut the Spartan lead to 5-3 after a run in the top of the fourth. CWRU responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Miller and Reynolds each hit RBI singles to push the Spartan advantage to 7-3.

Walsh attempted a comeback as they scored a run in the fifth and a pair of runs in the seventh, but the Spartans were able to hold on for the victory.

First-year Savannah Gazda pitched four innings in relief, allowing just two earned runs on six hits and two walks. She earned her first collegiate win on the mound. Brannam pitched the final two innings of the game, as she recorded her first save of the campaign.

Case Western Reserve will be back in action tomorrow, as they hit the road and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to face Mount St. Joseph for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.