CHICAGO, Ill. – The No. 18 Washington University in St. Louis softball team defeated Chicago 1-0 in the opening game of the series on Friday afternoon. The Bears are now 16-5 on the year with a 3-1 mark in UAA play.
 
After four scoreless innings, the Bears broke the stalemate in the top of the fifth inning. Junior Alexa Hanish hit a one-out double to right center to get things go. Senior Erin Reardon doubled down the left line, scoring Christina Smith, who came on to run for Hanish.
 
With one half inning remaining, Chicago tried to rally, starting with a single from Brianna Leech to lead off, but she was picked off by Hanish at first. Following two walks and a pair of steals, there were two runners in scoring position, but the Bears forced a ground out to end the game with the win.
 
Reardon went 2-for-2 with one RBI. Senior Taylor Geluck, junior Sydney Schneider, junior Jamie Cendana and Hanish all went 1-for-3.
 
Sophomore pitcher Maria Brooks picked up her fifth win of the season in the circle, pitching a complete game with four hits, no runs and six strikeouts.
 
The Bears wrap up the series with the Maroons tomorrow at 12 and 2 p.m.