Normal, Ill., April 23, 2021 – The Washington University in St. Louis softball team picked up a neutral site doubleheader sweep over the University of Chicago on Friday at Champion Fields. 

The Bears (9-7) won the first game 11-1 in five innings before securing a 5-3 win in Game 2 courtesy of a two-run go-ahead home run by sophomore Tami Wong. 

Game 1

Despite a two week wait since its last game, the WashU offense jumped all over the Maroons to start the day. The Bears scored multiple runs in each of the first four innings and held Chicago off the scoresheet until surrendering the lone run in the fifth.

WashU kicked off the scoring with four runs in the first inning. Junior Nicole Hay hit an RBI single followed by a two-run single by first year Ashley Kennedy. The Bears also scored on a wild pitch in the first. WashU added three more runs in the second inning on a Chicago error and a two-run double by sophomore Eimear Cunningham.

The Bears added one run in the third on a solo home run by sophomore Kayla Nommensen before scoring three more in the fourth on a sac fly by Nommensen and a two-run home run by junior Kirsten Drabek.

Junior starter Madison Denton (4-3) had a solid day in the circle, giving up just one run on two hits in five innings of work. Cunningham was 2-for-2 with two RBIs to lead the WashU offense while Kennedy went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Game 2

WashU gave up an early lead but battled back in the late innings to set the stage for Wong's go-ahead homer. 

The Bears scored their first two runs on an RBI groundout by Hay in the first inning and an RBI single by Kennedy in the third, and took a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning. Chicago tagged WashU starter Holly Stoner for three runs in the fifth to take its first lead of the day at 3-2. 

After a scoreless sixth inning, WashU tied the score in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by junior Katie Gould. Wong knocked Chicago pitcher Delaney Choi's offering over the left field fence to secure the Bears win. 

Gould was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a school record-tying four stolen bases to lead the Bears offense while Stoner (5-3) picked up the win after striking out six and allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings of work. 

Tomorrow's matchup with Webster has been canceled due to the threat of rain. The Bears are scheduled for a 12 p.m. home doubleheader against Franklin on Sunday, April 25 at the WU Sofrtball Field.