MADISON, Wis. – The University of Chicago softball team picked up its first wins of the year by sweeping University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Saturday's doubleheader by scores of 6-5 and 12-2.

The Maroons improved to 2-1 while the Pointers fell to 8-4.

Game One – UChicago 6, UW-Stevens Point 5  (9 innings)

UChicago struck first in the opening frame with an infield RBI single by junior infielder Savannah Pinedo. UWSP countered with a two-run single in the bottom half of the inning, but it was a short-lived advantage. Junior outfielder Samantha Lauro singled down the right field line to even the score up at 2-2 in the top of the second.

The Maroons jumped ahead in the fifth on the strength of a three-run outburst. Senior infielder Abby Hayes singled to center to drive in one. Then with two outs and an 0-2 count, junior outfielder Lainey Hughes doubled to plate two.

The Pointers answered yet again, this time with two in the bottom of the fifth. Then in the bottom of the seventh, UWSP stroked a leadoff triple. A fielder's choice cut down the runner at home plate, but another runner advanced to third base. A sacrifice fly to right field brought in the unearned run to send the game to extra innings at 5-5.

The breaks went UChicago's way in the ninth. Junior shortstop Maddy Mudrick singled, advanced to second on a throwing error, and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Lauro promptly delivered a single through the left side on a full count to plate the game-winning run. The Pointers put two runners on with two outs in the bottom half, but UChicago shut the door for the 6-5 victory.

The Maroons racked up 11 hits and committed two errors. Lauro shined with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate with two RBI. Mudrick went 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored.

First-year Delaney Romanchick pitched all nine innings to garner her first collegiate win. She walked four and struck out six in the complete-game effort.

Game Two – UChicago 12, UW-Stevens Point 2

The Maroons left no doubt in game two of the afternoon. They scored three times in the first inning and never looked back. Three-straight walks to open the game put UChicago in a good position, and Pinedo doubled to right field to drive in two while the third runner came in to score when Pinedo was caught advancing to third base.

In the top of the third, UWSP nearly wriggled its way out a bases-loaded jam with no outs. But UChicago salvaged one run via an RBI single from first-year outfielder Ava Sinai. The lead stretched to 9-0 in the fourth inning as five runs were scored on five hits. Junior catcher Katie O'Donnell notched an RBI single to left center, and Pinedo soon followed up with a two-run double to left. Sinai immediately delivered a two-run single down the left field line as well.

The Pointers manufactured two runs in the fifth, but no rally was in the making. UChicago capped the day with three more runs in the seven inning, courtesy of Lauro's RBI fielder's choice and a two-run single by Hayes.

Offensively, UChicago totaled 14 hits with six players accruing multiple hits. Pinedo hit 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI. Sinai was similarly 2-for-4 with three RBI. Hayes went 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI. Junior Bethany Regnerus, O'Donnell and Mudrick collected two hits each.

In the pitching circle, first-year Delaney Choi claimed the victory in her collegiate debut. She started the opening five innings, with a pitching line of two runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Sophomore Elizabeth Press tossed two scoreless innings of relief. s

NEXT GAMES:

• Monday, March 22 @ 3:00 PM – Wheaton College at UChicago