From University of Chicago Athletics
Behind Jordan Poole's second no-hitter of the season and Molly Moran's third shutout, the University of Chicago softball team defeated Wheaton College 1-0 in both games on Friday.
The Maroons improved to 23-6 and the Thunder moved to 27-11.
Game One – UChicago 1, Wheaton 0
Poole and Wheaton's Katie Thornton were locked in all game as both pitchers made quick work of the opposing offenses. Each team put two runners on base in the first inning, but both halves of the frame ended with strikeouts.
The innings flew by from that point on with the score knotted at zero. Finally, in the top of the eighth, UChicago made its move. Freshman outfielder Maeve Garvey led off with a single to left field, and Poole followed by drawing a walk. Next up was freshman outfielder Serena Moss, and she delivered the biggest hit of the game with an RBI single through the right side.
With the 1-0 lead in hand, Poole continued her dominance in the bottom half of the eighth. The senior nailed down the no-hitter with a strikeout, lineout and fly out to end the game. Her final pitching line included seven strikeouts and four walks in eight innings. Poole's first no-hitter occurred versus Carthage College in 2014. Her second career no-hitter transpired eight days ago in almost identical circumstances, as she defeated Hope College 1-0 in eight innings on April 21.
UChicago compiled six hits and one error in the contest. Senior outfielder Devan Parkison hit 3-for-4 with two stolen bases out of the leadoff spot.
Game Two – UChicago 1, Wheaton 0
After facing off against Thornton for eight innings in the first game, UChicago got a double dose when Wheaton's senior pitcher came out again to throw all of game two. The Maroons countered with Moran in the pitching circle, and the sophomore was up to the task.
The Thunder put a runner on third base in both the third and fourth innings. But Moran pitched her way out of both scenarios with a grounder in the third and a groundout and popup combo in the fourth. Moran extended her scoreless innings streak to 20 and hurled her third-straight shutout. She allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four. The sophomore lowered her team-best ERA to 1.55 and improved her record to 8-3.
UChicago was limited to only two hits in the game, but the visitors made them count. In the top of the fifth, freshman second base Colleen Bennett recorded an infield single and went on to steal second base. Fellow freshman outfielder Carly Schulz then banged an RBI double to center field to provide all the support Moran would need.