The Case Western Reserve University softball team split a doubleheader with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at Dee Dillon Field in Belton, Texas on Thursday, dropping the first game 4-3 in walk-off fashion but winning the second game 5-3.

The Spartans are now 2-2 on the season, halfway through their season-opening Spring Break trip to Texas. The Crusaders have a 13-4 record.

Sophomore third baseman KaiLi Gross picked up three hits and a steal in the team's win, while sophomore outfielder Stevie Rieger stole three bases across the two games. Rieger also delivered the go-ahead double in the seventh inning of the second game, securing a series split for CWRU.    

Game 1: UMHB 4, CWRU 3

The Spartans struck first in game one, scoring a run in the first inning after Rieger doubled and stole third. She scored on a grounder from senior infielder Liv Thomas, giving CWRU an early 1-0 lead. However, UMHB tied the score in the bottom half of the inning on a two-out double from Tatum Stover.

Case Western Reserve responded in the next inning, scoring two runs to regain the advantage. Junior second baseman Amanda Riely, junior outfielder Carli Tucci, and sophomore shortstop Kaila Nutter each singled to load the bases with just one out. Sophomore center fielder Kela Jagoda hit a tie-breaking single to score Riely and Tucci and give the Spartans a 3-1 lead.

In the third inning, the Crusaders cut into the deficit, scoring a run on a safety squeeze bunt. In the fifth, Mary Hardin-Baylor threatened to tie the game, putting two runners on base with just one out. First-year pitcher Lexi Miskey worked out of danger, retiring the next two batters to maintain the lead.   

The Spartans were unable to widen their lead and in the bottom of the seventh, UMHB tied the score on a wild pitch and walked off CWRU with a one-out single.

Game 2: CWRU 5, UMHB 3

A Spartan error in the first inning gave the Crusaders an early 1-0 lead in the second game of the doubleheader. Gross tied the score in the third with a double that scored Nutter. In the bottom half of the inning, Mary Hardin-Baylor responded with two runs to retake the lead.

Case Western Reserve scored two runs in the fourth inning to tie the score at three. After Riely and first-year catcher Katelyn Lamm reached base to lead off the inning, senior infielder Grace Yeung bunted them into scoring position. Nutter hit a double to score both runners and tie the game. The Spartans were unable to score in the next two innings, setting up a dramatic final frame.

With one out in the seventh, Gross singled up the middle to put the go-ahead runner on base. Rieger, the next batter, hit a double to put CWRU ahead. She advanced to third and scored an insurance run when Thomas singled in the next at bat.

First-year pitcher Kylie Hosey got two quick outs in the bottom of the inning before a single brought the tying run to the plate. She was able to get Stover to ground out to end the game and earn her second win of the season. Hosey, who pitched her second consecutive complete game, finished with three strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on six hits. Despite allowing baserunners in six of the seven innings, she worked around the danger and kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard after the third inning.

The Spartans continue their Spring Break trip on Thursday when they face top-ranked Texas Lutheran at Ed Kruse Stadium at Theos Morck Softball Field in a doubleheader starting at 4:00 p.m. ET.