CHICAGO – The University of Chicago softball team walked off with a dramatic game one win and went on to sweep Tuesday's home doubleheader against Franklin College.

The Maroons improved to 16-7-1 while the Grizzlies dropped to 20-10.   

Game One – UChicago 4, Franklin 3

The visitors surged ahead by scoring three times in the top of the first, thanks to a double and a two-run error. However, UChicago got two back in bottom of the first. Julia Folkl's single and Clare Fortier's groundout pulled the hosts to within 3-2.

The Maroons looked primed to break out in the fourth inning after loading the bases with no outs. But two fielder's choices resulted in the lead runner getting thrown out at home, and a strikeout ended the threat.

UChicago was down to its final outs in the bottom of the seventh, still trailing 3-2. Laila Sims led off with a double to left center and soon after, she stole third base. Anna Jensen walked and stole second to put the winning run in scoring position. Tory Piuze tied the game up with an RBI groundout that scored Sims. With two outs and Jensen on third, Fortier beat the throw on an infield grounder to clinch the walk-off win.  

Starting pitcher Paige Heffke (9-3 record) threw all seven innings to get the victory. She allowed only one earned run and struck out 10.

UChicago posted 12 hits and one error. Jensen and Madeline Murphy both hit 2-for-3. Olivia Cataldo and Fortier both went 2-for-4.

Game Two – UChicago 8, Franklin 3

Sims led off game two by smashing a solo homer to center field. Two errors led to two unearned runs in top of second as Franklin took the early lead.

In the third inning, Jensen and Sims executed a double steal of second and home to tie the game at 2-2.

UChicago loaded the bases once more in the fourth inning. Nicole Wong knocked a two-run single to put the hosts ahead, and Sims rocked a two-run triple to right field to provide additional cushion.

Franklin put up one in the top of the sixth, then UChicago got two back on a double by Jensen in the bottom of the frame.

The Maroons concluded the contest with 10 hits and three errors. Sims batted 3-for-4 with three RBI and two steals. Jensen was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Wong was 2-for-3 at the plate.

Delaney Choi (5-0 record) started the first six innings, striking out five with one earned run. Heffke closed out the seventh with three strikeouts.

NEXT GAMES:

• Friday, Apr. 21 @ 4:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at St. Mary's College (DH)