GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of Chicago softball team hung with Calvin University all Wednesday afternoon, but ultimately lost both ends of a doubleheader by scores of 8-6 and 6-5.

The Maroons moved to 2-5 on the year while the Knights improved to 5-1.

Game One – Calvin 8, UChicago 6

UChicago struck first in the opening frame. The visitors took advantage of an error, a hit-by-pitch and two walks to push across two runs. Junior Samantha Lauro scored on a wild pitch, and first-year Ava Sinai brought in another with an RBI groundout. Then in the second inning, the Maroons loaded the bases and plated one thanks to an RBI single to right field by junior Maddy Mudrick. However, Calvin wriggled out of the sticky situation by retiring the next three batters.

The Knights cut into the deficit to make it 3-2 by the end of the third. UChicago responded with one more in the fourth courtesy of a single from junior Savannah Pinedo. But Calvin broke through with six runs in the bottom of the fourth to bound ahead 8-4.

UChicago kept things interesting in the late innings. Mudrick's sixth-inning sacrifice bunt morphed into a defensive error that allowed Lauro to score from second base. The seventh inning provided even more drama. Two singles and a bunt put runners in scoring position for Mudrick, who delivered an RBI single to center field. Calvin promptly brought in a relief pitcher who got the final out to end the game at 8-6.

Mudrick and first-year Alina Yazek both went 2-for-3. Lauro hit 2-for-4 with three runs scored. UChicago totaled nine hits in the game.

Defensively, UChicago made two errors while Calvin committed six.

First-year Delaney Romanchick (1-2 record) was the pitcher of record. Her six innings of work included six earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts.

Game Two – Calvin 6, UChicago 5  (8 innings)

Two unearned runs in the top of the second inning gave the Maroons an early advantage. Junior Katie O'Donnell doubled to left field, which was followed by a walk drawn by Yazek. Both players scored on an infield error.

The hosts evened the score one inning later via a triple and a single. The two teams exchanged runs back and forth once again in the fourth and fifth innings. Lauro knocked in one with a single to shortstop in the fourth. Pinedo led off the fifth with a double and scored on senior Abby Hayes' sacrifice fly.

The teams went to extra innings from there. UChicago drew ahead thanks to sophomore Daisy Brownfield's RBI single. But Calvin walked off with the win by scoring on a fielder's choice and a passed ball.

Lauro and junior Lainey Hughes collected two hits apiece as UChicago tallied eight in the game. The visitors stole five bases as well, with Brownfield accounting for three steals herself.

First-year Delaney Choi pitched the opening five innings for the Maroons. She struck out eight batters to go with nine hits, four runs and two walks. Sophomore Elizabeth Press (0-3 record) took the loss in two innings of relief (1 H, 2 UR, 2 BB, 1 K).

NEXT GAMES:

• Saturday, March 27 @ 1 PM – UChicago at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (DH)