CHICAGO – In its 2022 home debut, the University of Chicago softball team captured both ends of a doubleheader against North Park University on Saturday afternoon.

The Maroons improved to 6-11 while the Vikings dropped to 10-10.

Game One – UChicago 4, North Park 1

UChicago did all its damage in the bottom of the first inning, pushing across four runs. With the bases loaded, senior Lainey Hughes crushed a two-run double to left center. Then first-year Laila Sims looped a two-run double of her own to left field to make it 4-0.

That was all the support Paige Heffke (3-6 record) needed. The first-year hurler tossed a complete game with only one unearned run, which came in the top of the third inning on a wild pitch. She struck out seven batters total while allowing four hits and two walks.

UChicago tallied three hits and one error. Hughes was 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBI.

Game Two – UChicago 6, North Park 1

The Maroon pitching staff produced another strong outing in game two. Three UChicago pitchers combined for one run allowed on four hits over seven innings. Senior Olivia Dunne got the start and worked two innings in the circle. Sophomore Delaney Romanchick (2-4 record) then took over and earned the win with four scoreless innings of relief. She only allowed one hit to go with two strikeouts and two walks. Sophomore Delaney Choi finished off the seventh inning with a pair of strikeouts.

North Park took a 1-0 lead after the top of the first. But UChicago responded right back in the bottom half of the frame when Hughes dropped an RBI single into right field.

The Maroons then took the lead in the bottom of the second when senior Jules Waller's line drive to center scored Sims all the way from first base. Waller soon came around to score on senior Maddy Mudrick's single.

The hosts picked up a trio of insurance runs in the fifth inning. With runners on the corners, a stolen base by junior Daisy Brownfield drew a throw that resulted in a run-scoring error. Brownfield proceeded to steal third base as well and came home on first-year Clare Fortier's single through the left side. Sophomore Ava Sinai's RBI groundout pushed the lead to 6-1.

The Maroons concluded with eight hits, one error and four stolen bases. Senior Savannah Pinedo hit 2-for-4, while junior Julia Folkl was 1-for-1 with two walks.

NEXT GAMES:

• Tuesday, April 12 @ 3:00 PM – UChicago at Carroll University (DH)