The eighth-ranked Case Western Reserve University softball team recorded a season-high 16 hits to defeat Brandeis University 12-5 in the opening game of a four-game series on Friday afternoon at Mather Park in Cleveland.

The Spartans improved to 20-2 on the season and 6-2 in University Athletic Association play, taking first place from the Judges who fell to 11-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play.

Four CWRU batters had at least three hits, with junior outfielder Kela Jagoda recording a career-high and team-leading four hits. Junior infielder KaiLi Gross went three-for-five at the plate, first-year infielder Elizabeth Berry tied a career high with three hits in four at bats, and senior infielder Amanda Riely also went three-for-four. Gross drove in three runs and Jagoda drove in two, with the two Spartans each stealing three bases. Riely hit her second triple of the season, driving in three runs during the game. 

Brandeis loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs before CWRU came to the plate.

Case Western Reserve took the lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring four runs with one out to chase Brandeis starting pitcher Alex Cohen. With two runners in scoring position, Gross singled through the left side to put the Spartans on the board. Jagoda put the hosts ahead with a two-run single up the middle, and she scored on a Riely's triple. With two outs, Riely scored on an error to make the score 5-2 after two innings.

Brandeis tied the score at five with a three-run home run by Elle Ehrlich in the top of the third inning. CWRU scored seven unanswered runs following the homer, putting the game away in the later innings.

In the bottom of the third inning, Gross recorded her third hit of the game, driving in two runs to put the Spartans ahead 7-5. Following an infield hit by Jagoda, Riely drove in the eighth run with a bloop single to left field. Jagoda scored the final run of the inning on a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Carli Tucci making the score 9-5.

In the following inning, sophomore pitcher Lexi Miskey struck out a batter with the bases loaded to end the inning and keep the lead at four. Berry drove in the 10th run of the game for CWRU with her third hit, a single through the left side that scored sophomore infielder Isabella Russo. Russo also had a multi-hit game, her eighth of the season.

Jagoda set a career high with her fourth hit in the bottom of the fifth inning, later scoring on a single by Riely, her third hit of the afternoon. Riely crossed the plate on a single by first-year catcher Anna Gobeyn to make the score 12-5.

Miskey (13-0) earned the win, allowing five runs on three hits and six walks with three strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher Kylie Hosey earned her third save of the season by throwing three scoreless innings in relief. She struck out five batters and allowed just one hit and a walk. Ragini Kannan (8-2) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs on six hits in one and two-thirds of an inning.

The Spartans and Judges continue their series tomorrow, Saturday, April 8, with a doubleheader scheduled to start at 12 p.m.