The 23rd-ranked Case Western Reserve University softball team began its 2022 season by splitting a doubleheader with Southwestern (Texas) University on Monday at Taylor-Sanders Field in Georgetown, Texas, losing the first game 3-2 but winning the second one 3-2.

The Spartans are 1-1 overall, while the Pirates stand at 3-10 on the season.

First-year pitcher Kylie Hosey went the distance in her Spartan debut in the second game of the doubleheader, striking out 13 batters while only allowing two runs on six hits. She is the first CWRU pitcher to record double-digit strikeouts since former Spartan Ilissa Hamilton fanned 12 in a CWRU upset over #14 Ithaca on March 8, 2020. Hosey's 13 strikeouts are the most since Hamilton set down 13 John Carroll hitters on March 26, 2019.  

Senior infielder Liv Thomas drove in three of Case Western Reserve's five runs in the two games, and sophomore third baseman/pitcher KaiLi Gross stole three bases in the doubleheader.   

Game 1: Southwestern (Texas) 3, #23 CWRU 2

The Pirates struck first in the opener, manufacturing a run in the second inning with a single. They doubled their lead in the third inning, with a triple from first baseman Meghan McCarthy. Southwestern added an unearned run in the fourth inning to build a 3-0 advantage over the visiting Spartans.

CWRU took advantage of three Southwestern errors in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Gross hit a grounder to the third baseman, scoring sophomore shortstop Kaila Nutter. However, the Spartans were unable to capitalize any further and trailed 3-1.

Down to its final out, the Case Western Reserve attempted a final comeback in the seventh inning but came up short. Sophomore right fielder Stevie Rieger doubled and Gross walked to put the tying run on base. Thomas singled home a run to cut the deficit to one, but Gross was stranded on base to end the game.

First-year pitcher Lexi Miskey, making her Spartan debut, gave up two runs on three hits while striking out two. Gross did not allow an earned run in three and two-thirds innings of relief, giving up just two hits and adding three strikeouts.

Game 2: #23 CWRU 3, Southwestern (Texas) 2

CWRU, looking for its first win of the season in the nightcap, loaded the bases in the top of the first inning, but could not score. After giving up a run in the bottom of the first, Hosey retired 14 of the next 15 Pirates to keep the deficit at one. Senior first baseman Grace Yeung delivered a two-out double to score first-year catcher Katelyn Lamm and tie the game in the fourth inning.

In the fifth inning, Thomas broke the deadlock with a two-out two-run double to left field. Gross and sophomore center fielder Kela Jagoda each walked and stole bases earlier in the inning to get into scoring position. A run-scoring triple brought Southwestern within one in the bottom of the sixth, but Hosey worked around a baserunner in the bottom of the seventh inning to seal the win.

The Spartans continue their Spring Break trip in Texas with a visit to Belton, Texas to face Mary Hardin-Baylor for a doubleheader. The teams, originally scheduled to play on Tuesday, will face off on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.