From University of Chicago Athletics
After dropping a low-scoring opening contest to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the University of Chicago softball team found itself down four runs late in Tuesday's contest against Fontbonne University. Down to their final out, the Maroons came roaring back to tie the game and eventually win 7-6 in extra innings.
The Maroons moved their record to 4-2 on the season.
Game One – Wisconsin-Eau Claire 4, UChicago 2
UChicago jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning after back-to-back doubles by sophomore outfielder Maeve Garvey and senior third base Maggie O'Hara. However, the No. 13-ranked Blugolds took advantage of two errors to tally three unearned runs in the bottom half of the inning.
The Maroons drew to within 3-2 when sophomore shortstop Colleen Bennett stole third base and then scored on an error in the second inning. Once again, UWEC answered with one more run in the bottom of the second to pull ahead 4-2. The Blugolds shut down UChicago's offense the rest of the way to get the win.
The Maroons compiled five hits and made two errors. O'Hara hit 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Sophomore pitcher Jordyne Prussak (2-1) took the loss. She tossed two innings with four runs (one earned), four hits and three walks. Junior Molly Moran pitched the final four innings with one hit, two walks and one strikeout.
Game Two – UChicago 7, Fontbonne 6
The Griffins seized control and took a 6-2 lead through four innings. Fontbonne loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning and brought four runs in to surge ahead.
UChicago halved the deficit in the bottom of the second with RBI line drive singles from freshman designated player Danielle Allen and Bennett. Then in the sixth, the Maroons loaded the bases and got two runs across the plate thanks to singles by senior second base Anna Woolery and sophomore outfielder Maeve Garvey.
Down 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh, two quick outs put UChicago's chances on life support. But two walks and a single filled the bases and set up a chance for Bennett. The sophomore delivered by driving a single to center to tie the game up and force extras.
The international tiebreaker rule came into effect starting in the eighth inning, with a runner being placed on second base to start the frame. A Fontbonne single and a stolen base put runners on second and third with no outs. Prussak was able to extract herself from the jam with three-straight outs on the infield.
The Maroons quickly capitalized in the bottom of inning. Woolery led off with a high chopper up the middle that skipped through the infield, allowing sophomore outfielder Serena Moss to score from second base and walk off with the 7-6 win.
UChicago knocked 15 hits offensively but committed four errors defensively. Woolery went 3-for-5 at the dish with two RBI. Bennett hit 2-for-4 with three RBI. Freshman outfielder Christie Ambrose, freshman catcher Holli Jones and sophomore first base Carly Schulz collected two hits each.
Freshman pitcher Megan Stoppelman got the start and went five innings. Her stat line included six runs (four earned), eight hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Prussak (3-1 record) earned the win in relief, going three innings with two hits and one strikeout.