From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
The Case Western Reserve University softball team, in its first games at Mather Park of the season, split a doubleheader with the University of Mount Union on Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio, falling in the first game 3-2 but winning the second game 3-0.
The Spartans are now 3-6 on the season, while the Purple Raiders are 7-7.
In the second game of the doubleheader, first-year pitcher Lexi Miskey pitched the best game of her collegiate career, tossing a complete game shutout while allowing just one hit and striking out five.
Over the two games, sophomore shortstop KaiLi Gross went five-for-six (.833) with her first home run of the season, four stolen bases, and two runs scored.
Game 1: Mount Union 3, CWRU 2
Both teams scored a run in the first inning of the first game. Following a double, Mount Union used two sacrifices to score the first run of the contest. Gross started the game with a single and stole second base. When she stole third, the Mount Union catcher made an errant throw, allowing Gross to score. Though the Spartans put two runners in scoring position later in the inning, they could not break the 1-1 tie.
First-year pitcher Kylie Hosey kept the Purple Raiders off the scoreboard over the next five innings, allowing just two baserunners and striking out four batters. Hosey threw a complete game, allowing just four hits and finishing with six strikeouts.
In the sixth inning, Case Western Reserve broke the deadlock with the first home run of junior second baseman Amanda Riely's career. The solo shot gave the Spartans a 2-1 advantage.
Mount Union responded in the final frame, taking a 3-2 lead on a two-run home run from Alyssa Rose. Despite getting two baserunners on in the bottom of the inning, the Spartans could not finish the rally and dropped the first game.
Game 2: CWRU 3, Mount Union 0
CWRU backed the stellar pitching of Miskey to take the second game. Gross led off the first inning with a solo home run, her first of the season, to give the Spartans an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore outfielder Stevie Rieger followed with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a bunt from senior infielder Liv Thomas. On the next play, she scored on a fielder's choice, avoiding the catcher's tag to double the CWRU lead.
Both teams threatened in the third inning, but neither was able to score. With one out and a runner on second base, Miskey struck out the next Purple Raider to come to the plate. After a hit by pitch and passed ball put two runners in scoring position, she responded with another strikeout to keep the Spartans ahead. In the bottom half of the inning, junior outfielder Carli Tucci, running for Thomas, reached third base with just one out. However, she was stranded there as Case Western Reserve could not add to its lead.
Miskey added a run herself in the fourth inning, running for designated player Katelyn Lamm. Miskey stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore center fielder Kela Jagoda to make the score 3-0.
Mount Union was able to get a runner to third base in the fifth inning, but Miskey shut the team down for the rest of the game, resulting in the doubleheader split.