The fifth-ranked Case Western Reserve University softball team split a Saturday doubleheader with Emory University at Cooper Field in Atlanta, Georgia, winning the first game 9-0 in five innings but falling in the second game 3-1.
With the split, the Spartans stand at 15-2 on the season and 1-2 in University Athletic Association play. The Eagles are now 12-8 overall and 2-1 in UAA contests.
First-year catcher Anna Gobeyn hit a grand slam to lead the Spartan offense in the first game, and first-year infielder Elizabeth Berry went three-for-five in the two contests with three runs driven in.
Game 1: #5 CWRU 9, Emory 0 (5 inn.)
Gobeyn's first career grand slam gave the Spartans a 4-0 lead in the first inning before the hosts even came to bat. Junior infielder KaiLi Gross led off the game with a single, senior outfielder Carli Tucci followed with a walk, and senior infielder Amanda Riely reached on a fielder's choice that did not result in an out. Gobeyn cleared the bases with a deep shot to center field on her third homer of the season. It was the first grand slam for CWRU since former Spartan Grace Yeung hit one in a 16-4 win over Carnegie Mellon last season.
In the third inning, Case Western Reserve added to its lead when Berry drove in a run with a two-out single up the middle. Scoring on the play was sophomore pitcher Lexi Miskey, who ran for Gobeyn and stole a base after the catcher was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.
The following frame, Riely drove in the sixth run of the game with a sacrifice fly, scoring Gross. The leadoff hitter walked to start the inning, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch to get into scoring position for Riely. CWRU scored two more runs on an Emory error, and Berry drove in her second run of the day with a two-out single to make the lead 9-0 in favor of the Spartans.
Miskey (9-0) allowed two hits and three walks in four shutout innings, striking out three batters in the game. Junior pitcher Jenna Jaklich completed the game, recording a strikeout in a hitless fifth inning. It was the fourth shutout of the season for CWRU.
The Spartans stole eight bases in the contest, including three by Gross, tying a career high. Berry finished the game with two runs driven in on a career-high three hits.
Game 2: Emory 3, #5 CWRU 1
The Eagles opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, scoring an unearned run on a steal and a throwing error. The Spartans tied the score in the following inning on a Berry one-out single. Russo, who doubled to start the frame and advanced to third on a wild pitch, scored on the play.
In the fourth inning, the Eagles broke the deadlock with a two-out two-run single, taking a 3-1 lead.
Despite getting two runners in scoring position in the final frame, Case Western Reserve was unable to score for the remainder of the contest, dropping the second game of the doubleheader. Sophomore Kylie Hosey (6-2) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk in six innings. Hosey struck out four batters in the contest.
The Spartans and Eagles will conclude their four-game series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
