WHEATON, Ill. – After a 12-month absence from competition, the University of Chicago returned to collegiate action on Friday afternoon. The Maroon softball team kicked off the spring 2021 schedule officially with a road doubleheader at Wheaton College.

Game One – Wheaton 6, UChicago 2

UChicago posted the first run of the season in the top of the second inning. An error and a single put a runner in scoring position right away. Then with two outs, junior outfielder Samantha Lauro knocked an RBI double to put her team up 1-0.

Wheaton evened the game up at 1-1 with a double steal in the bottom of the second inning. However, the Maroons responded in the very next frame when first-year outfielder Ava Sinai singled to right center to drive in her first collegiate run.

UChicago looked to add to its advantage by loading the bases in the top of the fourth, but Wheaton escaped the jam without any damage. The hosts rallied back in the bottom of the fourth by plating four on four hits. They added another tally in the fifth with an RBI groundout to account for the 6-2 final.

The Maroons collected seven hits and committed two errors. Lauro went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a steal. Fellow junior outfielder Lainey Hughes went 1-for-3 with a walk and a steal as well.

Sophomore Elizabeth Press absorbed the loss in the pitching circle. She threw four innings, with four earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Junior Bethany Regnerus tossed two innings of relief, with a pitching line of one unearned run, two walks and one strikeout.

Game two was called off in the fourth inning due to darkness.

NEXT GAMES:

• Saturday, March 20 @ 1:00 PM – UChicago vs. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (at Madison, Wis.)