The Case Western Reserve University softball team completed its four-game sweep of Emory University on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Eagles 7-4 at Mather Park in Cleveland, Ohio.  

The Spartans improve to 17-8 on the season and 9-2 in University Athletic Association play. CWRU is ahead of Washington University in St. Louis by one and one-half games in the conference standings with two series remaining. The Eagles fall to 15-15 overall and 4-8 in conference play. The win is the fifth in a row for Case Western Reserve and ninth in a row at home.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Spartans took an early lead when sophomore Jenna Jaklich scored on a triple by senior infielder Grace Yeung. Emory tied the score in the next inning with a solo home run.

Case Western Reserve reclaimed the lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning off relief pitcher Mattie Ryan (12-6). Sophomore catcher Jordon Manworren broke the tie with a run-scoring single up the middle. Following a double from sophomore outfielder Stevie Rieger that put two runners in scoring position, junior infielder/outfielder Amanda Riely drove in a run with a groundout. Rieger scored from third base when senior infielder Liv Thomas was caught stealing later in the inning.

The Eagles cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run home run, making the score 4-3 in favor of the Spartans. CWRU increased its advantage to two in the bottom half of the inning when first-year outfielder Isabella Russo scored on a groundout by sophomore infielder Kaila Nutter. In the next inning, the hosts took advantage of an Emory error to add another run and lead 6-3.

A solo home run by Tyler Miller in the top of the sixth inning, her second of the game, cut into the CWRU lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Yeung responded with a solo home run, her third of the season, to put the Spartans ahead by three again. She finished the game two-for-two at the plate with two extra base hits, two runs batted in, and a run scored.

First-year pitcher Kylie Hosey (9-5) started the game in the circle for Case Western Reserve, pitching four innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out two batters. She earned her ninth win of the season, tied for second most in the conference. First-year pitcher Lexi Miskey entered the game in the fifth inning and earned her first career save. She allowed just one run on one hit and recorded three strikeouts in three innings of work. She is tied for second in the conference with 66 strikeouts this season, one away from the UAA lead.   

CWRU will continue conference play on Friday, April 15, when the team travels to Waltham, Massachusetts to face Brandeis University for a four-game weekend series. First pitch for the first game is scheduled for 3 p.m.