From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
The seventh-ranked Case Western Reserve University softball team clinched the University Athletic Association Championship with a doubleheader sweep of New York University on Friday at the College of Staten Island Softball Complex in Staten Island, New York, winning the first game 5-0 and taking the second game 2-0.
With the win in the first game, CWRU clinched its second consecutive UAA title and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. It is the sixth UAA title in program history and just the second time the team has won back-to-back conference championships. The Spartans won three straight titles from 1997-99. Case Western Reserve will be making its fourth all-time appearance in the NCAA Championship and second in as many seasons after reaching the Super Regional Round in 2022.
The Spartans improved to 29-2 overall with the wins and 15-2 in University Athletic Association play, while the Violets fell to 17-17 on the season and 6-12 in UAA contests.
The second victory of the day increased the team's winning streak to 14 games, matching the program record for most consecutive victories set earlier this season.
Game 1: #7 CWRU 5, NYU 0
Case Western Reserve wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Junior infielder KaiLi Gross led off the contest with a walk and then promptly stole second base. She scored on a single by junior outfielder Kela Jagoda to put the Spartans ahead 1-0.
In the third inning, Gross tripled with one out, her fourth of the season. She scored on a two-out single by senior infielder Amanda Riely to double the Spartan advantage.
CWRU scored three times in the final frame to put the game away. Jagoda drove in junior catcher Jordon Manworren for her second run batted in for the game. A two-out bases-loaded infield single by senior outfielder Carli Tucci plated two more runs, as the Spartans took advantage of an NYU error on the play.
In the circle sophomore pitcher Lexi Miskey (18-0) completed her second shutout of the season and the sixth of her career, striking out nine batters over seven innings while allowing just three hits and three walks.
Game 2: #7 CWRU 2, NYU 0
In the second game of the day, CWRU scored its first run of the game in the third inning. First-year infielder Elizabeth Berry led off the frame with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. She scored on Jagoda's second triple of the day, giving the junior outfielder three runs driven in during the twin bill. The triple was her fifth of the season, one away from tying the single-season program record of six set by Beth Andrasik in 2010 and Melanie Simpson in 1999.
Tucci made the score 2-0 with a one-out solo home run in the following inning, her fifth of the season and the seventh of her career.
Sophomore pitcher Kylie Hosey (10-2) scattered six hits and two walks in seven innings of work to earn her first shutout of the season and the second of her career. CWRU turned four double plays in the game on defense, helping Hosey escape jams in the fourth, fifth, six, and seventh innings. It was the 10th shutout of the season for the Spartans and their sixth in UAA play.