The University of Chicago women’s softball team finished its stretch of home games this week, splitting a doubleheader against North Central and dropping the first game of a doubleheader to Elmhurst before the second game was canceled due to inclement weather.
The first game against North Central College (30–7) saw the Cardinals jump out to an 8–0 lead after three innings, due in part to a pair of two-run and three-run homeruns. Third-year Carly Schulz had an RBI single in the fourth to get the Maroons on the board. The fifth inning saw both teams add two runs to their total, thanks to RBIs from second-year Holli Jones and first-year Abby Hayes. The Maroons tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the sixth to bring the score to 11–8. However, this is as close as the South Siders would get, as the final score would have them on the losing end of 12–8.
The second game saw the Maroons prevail in a 2–0 shutout thanks to a stellar performance from fourth-year pitcher Molly Moran, who only allowed three hits and two walks while delivering five strikeouts. UChicago manufactured all of their offense in the first inning. Third-year Serena Moss drew a walk with the bases loaded to give the Maroons their first run. First-year Skye Collins added the last run for the Maroons with a sacrifice fly in the same inning.
Schulz said of the doubleheader against North Central, “We had a slow start versus North Central—it took us a few innings to catch up to their offense and start scoring runs to compete with them. We were really motivated to win the second game after dropping a rough first game to them, and we were able to pull out a nice win as a result.”
UChicago dropped the first of a scheduled doubleheader with Elmhurst 5–1 the following day. The Maroons’ only run came off of two Elmhurst slip ups, allowing Moss to score all the way from first base, bringing the score to 1–0 in the second. However, the Maroons would not get any further than this, with the Bluejays scoring five runs in the final three innings to secure the win. The nightcap game was canceled due to weather.
Schultz spoke of the game plan against Elmhurst: “We know we have to start out strong and maintain energy throughout the games. We know that these games are important for the future of our season, so we’re hoping to do what we have to do to get these wins. Our mindset for the rest of the season is definitely about consistency and putting pressure on our opponents right away—as long as we can achieve these two things from the very start of our games going forward, we can beat anyone.”
The Maroons will hope to have the opportunity extend their season in postseason play.
