The eighth-ranked Case Western Reserve University softball team won a pitchers' duel on Sunday afternoon at Mather Park in Cleveland, defeating Washington University in St. Louis 1-0 in the series finale between the two teams.

The Spartans improved to 19-2 overall and 5-2 in University Athletic Association play with the series sweep of WashU. The Bears fell to 9-13 on the season and 2-6 in UAA contests.

The game was scoreless through the first four innings, despite both teams having chances to score.

In the second, third, and fourth innings, the Spartans had two runners reach scoring position but were unable to plate a run. The Bears had runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, prompting a pitching change for CWRU. Sophomore pitcher Lexi Miskey retired her lone batter in the inning to keep the game scoreless. Starting the game was sophomore pitcher Kylie Hosey who went three and two-third innings, allowing just two hits and no walks. Miskey finished the shutout and earned the win, improving to 12-0 on the season. She allowed no hits in three and one-third innings, walking a batter and striking out two. It was the fifth shutout of the season for CWRU.

Miskey escaped a jam in the top of the fifth inning. After the first two Bears reached base with a walk and an error, she induced two consecutive pop up bunts and struck out the next batter to end the inning. First-year infielder Elizabeth Berry made a diving catch in foul territory on one of the popups for the second out of the inning.

The Spartans broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior infielder KaiLi Gross led off the frame with an infield single, and junior outfielder Kela Jagoda followed with an infield hit of her own to put runners on the corners with no outs. On the first pitch of the next at bat, Jagoda stole second, drawing a throw to allow Gross to score on the play. The run was the only one of the inning for CWRU, as WashU relief pitcher Jordan Rossi quelled the threat.

Miskey retired the Bears in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, ending the game with a strikeout to complete the four-game sweep.

Berry recorded two of the Spartans' six hits in the game, including a double. Holly Stoner (3-5) took the loss for the Bears, allowing one run on five hits and four walks in four innings. Neither WashU pitcher recorded a strikeout in the contest.   

Case Western Reserve will continue UAA play next weekend with a four-game series against Brandeis at Mather Park. The series begins Friday, April 7 at 3 p.m.