Case Western Reserve University graduate student KaiLi Gross collected six hits over a pair of games on Thursday to become the program's career hit leader and pace the third-ranked Spartans to a pair of wins. CWRU bested Haverford College 12-5 in the first game of the day before besting Whittier College 3-1 in five innings in the second game in Whittier, California.

The Spartans improved to 9-5 with the two wins.

Gross, who finished the day a combined six-for-seven with five runs, five RBIs, two home runs, and a double, set the record with a single in her final at-bat of the day. She now has 219 career hits, surpassing the former mark of 218 set by Molly O'Brien (2012-15).

Game 1 - CWRU 12, Haverford 5

Gross collected four hits, including two home runs and a tie-breaking two-run single in the sixth inning, to lift the Spartans to a 12-5 win over Haverford in the first game of the day.

Gross put the Spartans on the board in the top of the first with a two-out solo home run and CWRU extended its lead to 2-0 in the second when senior Katelyn Lamm singled with two outs, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a single up the middle by sophomore Karen Potts. Gross led off the third inning with her second home run of the game and a sacrifice fly by sophomore Nylah Durham put CWRU ahead 4-0 after three innings.

Haverford came back in the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Spartans' lead to a run. In the fifth, Gross walked to start the inning, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a double by senior Isabella Russo to put CWRU ahead 5-3. However, a two-run home run from Haverford in the bottom of the inning tied the score at 5-5.

CWRU took the lead for good in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Gross came to bat again and singled to center field, scoring a pair of runs and giving CWRU a 7-5 lead. Russo and junior Elizabeth Berry each added RBI singles to put the Spartans ahead 9-5 and Potts, first-year Kate Coonan, and Gross each had two-out RBIs in the seventh to help CWRU pull away late.

The Spartans collected a season-high 16 hits in the win while allowing just six. Gross finished the game four-for-four with two home runs, four runs, five RBIs, and a walk. Russo added four hits in five at-bats with two RBIs, a double, and a stolen base, and Berry was three-for-four with a run, an RBI, and a stolen base.

Senior Lexi Miskey started the game and held Haverford scoreless on one hit and four walks with seven strikeouts over three innings. Senior Kylie Hosey picked up the win, improving to 3-4 after allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts over the final three innings of the game.

Haverford's Rachel McQueen suffered the loss, falling to 0-1 on the year, as the team dropped to 4-4 for the campaign.

Game 2 - CWRU 3, Whittier 1 (5 inn.)

The Spartans scored three late runs in a game shortened due to darkness to defeat Whittier 3-1 in the second contest of the day.

Whittier took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, but the Spartans knotted the score in the top of the fourth. Gross led the inning off with a double, her program-record tying 218th career hit, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly from Russo. Later in the inning, first-year Ashley Miller drove in the first run of her college career with a two-out single that scored Berry to give CWRU a 2-1 advantage. Gross then picked up her record-setting hit in the fifth, a single to drive in Potts and extend the team's lead to 3-1.

Miskey turned in a strong outing to earn the win and improve to 6-1 for the season. She allowed a run on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Hosey pitched a perfect fifth inning, striking out one and earning her fourth save of the season.

CWRU outhit Whittier 6-3, with Gross and Miller each collecting a pair of hits.

Whittier fell to 9-6 with the loss. Bella Peinado suffered the setback to drop to 5-4.

The Spartans are scheduled to conclude their California trip on Friday with a doubleheader at Chapman University. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.

Spartan Notes

• CWRU improved to 3-0 all-time against Haverford with the win. Thursday's game was the first-ever meeting between the Spartans and the Poets.

• Hosey now has eight career saves, tying her with Rebecca Taylor for the most in a career in program history. Her four saves this year match Taylor's single-season record set in 2014.