From Washington University Athletics
The Washington University in St. Louis softball team had two dominant pitching performance by juniors Anna McKee and Maggie Clapp Friday against Case Western Reserve University, but the Bears managed just a split in the opening of a four-game series with the Spartans at home.
McKee tossed a complete-game in the 2-0 victory in game one, and then Clapp allowed just one run in a 3-2 10-inning loss in game two.
WashU and Case are both 15-10 overall. The Spartans moved into first place in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings with a 6-5 mark, while the Bears are in second with a 3-3 record.
WashU 2, Case Western Reserve 0 – Game One
McKee (9-3) tossed her ninth complete game of the year allowing three hits with three strikeouts in game one. She did not allow an extra-base hit in the victory.
The Bears scored in the bottom of the first inning to take the early 1-0 advantage. Freshman Amy Walsh singled in her first at-bat after missing 12 games, and then came around to score on a double to left center by senior Hannah Mehrle.
With McKee in control on the mound, junior Hera Tang added the insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double to right center.
WashU finished the game with five hits and left six runners on base. There was a one-hour rain delay with two outs in the seventh.
Case Western Reserve 3, WashU 2 (10 innings) – Game Two
Clapp (5-7) took the loss in game two despite an outstanding effort. She allowed eight hits and three runs (one earned), and struck out five. WashU had 11 hits but left a season-high 12 runners on base.
Senior Janet Taylor laid out for a diving catch in right center to start game two, and then ended the first inning with a diving catch in left center.
The Spartans added another run in the third off junior Maggie Clapp following two errors by the WashU infield. The Bears answered right back following an RBI double to left by Mehrle. Taylor singled off the pitcher to move Mehrle to third, and then scored on an RBI single by sophomore Taylor Arends.
The game remained tied until the 10th when Annie Wennerberg won it for the Spartans with a sacrifice fly. The Bears had a runner at third with one out in the 10th, but could not push across the tying run.
Mehrle was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI, while Arends (2-for-4, RBI), James (2-for-4, run scored) and Tang (2-for-5) had multi-hit games.
WashU and Case play the final two game of the series on Saturday, April 15. Game one is set for 1 p.m.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with Case 27-9, and the Spartans snapped a six-game losing streak to the Bears … WashU won its first game of the season when scoring two or less runs … Tang is 13-for-13 in stolen bases in her career … Mehrle moved into seventh place in career RBIs (127) and eighth in doubles (37) … Taylor walked set the WashU all-time record for walks (66) … Mehrle is now third all-time in hits (208) and 13 shy of school record … WashU is 14-3 when scoring first, and 1-7 when the opponent scores first … The Bears are 1-1 in extra inning games this season … James moved into fourth in school history in runs scored (125).