CLERMONT, Fla. – The University of Chicago softball team opened its season with a 4-1 win over Wellesley College and a 5-1 victory against Ripon College on Saturday.

The Maroons began their spring break trip down in Clermont, Fla. with their first game versus Wellesley. UChicago got its first chance to score in the bottom of the third by loading the bases with one out. But a flyout and groundout stranded the runners. The very next inning, the Maroons capitalized on their opportunities. Senior Maddie McManus stroked an RBI double to left field to make the score 1-0. Senior Zoe Oliver-Grey knocked an RBI single, and senior Kaitlyn Carpenter plated two more runs with a double to left field.

UChicago starting pitcher Jordan Poole (1-0) made the lead stand up, allowing only one run in the top of the sixth inning to get the win. The sophomore was in a jam in the fifth inning, with the bases loaded and one out, and she responded by striking out the next two batters. Poole finished with four hits and two walks allowed with five strikeouts in seven innings.

The Maroons totaled eight hits and committed one error. Carpenter (two RBI), Oliver-Grey (one RBI) and sophomore Kathleen Kohm all had two hits apiece.

In game two, UChicago scored right away in the first inning against Ripon. With two outs, junior Kristin Lopez singled and stole second base. Kohm then brought her in with an RBI single.

Kohm tallied a pair of RBI doubles in the third and seventh innings. Junior Raechel Cloud's infield single and junior Tabbetha Bohac's sacrifice fly added two more runs in the top of the sixth.

Ripon scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth and trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Red Hawks put two runners on but couldn't push any runs across to end the game. Bohac (1-0) earned the complete-game victory in the pitching circle. She allowed four hits, one unearned run and two walks to go with three strikeouts.

The Maroons banged out 11 hits and committed three errors. Kohm went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the game. Carpenter also went 3-for-4 and McManus was 2-for-3.

NEXT GAMES:

• Sunday, Mar. 23 (at Clermont, Fla.) – UChicago vs. Hamline University, 3 PM (ET) / UChicago vs. Carthage College, 5 PM (ET)