CHICAGO – The University of Chicago softball team utilized the long ball and strong pitching to top Wheaton College 1-0 and 3-2 on a windy Thursday at Stagg Field.

The Maroons (10-11 record) stretched their winning streak to six games. The Thunder fell to 11-15.

Game One – UChicago 1, Wheaton 0

Persistent strong wind was the story of the day on a sunny afternoon in Hyde Park. Whipping gusts averaged 25-35 MPH throughout both games, blowing mainly across from left field to right field. High drives to the outfield were almost universally batted down and fell harmlessly into awaiting gloves.

Game one was a pitcher's duel between UChicago's Paige Heffke and Wheaton's Emilie Gist. Batters could not find any rhythm against the hurlers, who combined for 15 strikeouts versus only six hits allowed. Innings flew by at a rapid rate. Heffke was particularly efficient, as she only needed 78 pitches to hurl a complete game.  

Both teams put runners in scoring position in the second inning, but were not able to advance them any further. The lone score of the contest came in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Savannah Pinedo provided the big swing by blasting a long fly ball to dead center that cleared the wall for a solo home run.

Heffke faced some adversity in the top of the fifth with a runner on second with one out. But the rookie righthander proceeded to retire the next eight batters she faced to secure the shutout. Heffke (5-6 record) only allowed two hits while striking out six.

The Maroons finished with four hits and one defensive error. Pinedo went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Game Two – UChicago 3, Wheaton 2

UChicago caught a break in the bottom of the second when first-year Tory Piuze's foul ball was dropped by a Wheaton infielder. Armed with a second chance, Piuze worked the count to draw a walk. Senior Jules Waller then strode to the plate and obliterated a no-doubt two-run homer well past the right field fence to put her team up 2-0.

The Thunder halved the deficit with an RBI single up the middle in the top of the third. But the damage was mitigated as sophomore pitcher Delaney Romanchick fanned the next two batters swinging.

The status quo was maintained until the top of the sixth. With two outs, Wheaton rallied to tie the game up with a single, a steal and another single. The threat continued as the visitors loaded the bases. Heffke was then called upon out of the bullpen and induced a groundout to shortstop to keep the game tied at 2-2.

UChicago responded in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Alina Yazek pulled a double to left field and sophomore Ava Sinai immediately followed with an RBI single through the right side.  

With the one-run lead in hand, Heffke sent down Wheaton's hitters in order in the seventh, including a swinging strikeout to end the game.

UChicago posted five hits and one error. Waller and junior Julia Folkl both batted 1-for-2 with a walk.

Heffke evened her season record at 6-6 with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. Senior Olivia Dunne tossed the opening two innings and Romanchick threw the middle 3.2 innings (2 R, 4 K).

NEXT GAMES:

• Monday, April 18 @ 3:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at Calvin University (DH)