PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The No. 11 Washington University in St. Louis softball team defeated Carnegie Mellon 5-1 on Friday afternoon to open the series against the Tartans. The Bears are now 27-5 on the year with a 12-1 mark in conference play.
 
The Bears got on the board in the top of the third inning. Senior Erin Reardon drew a lead-off walk and moved to second on a throwing error by center field. Senior Natalia Pilpil doubled to center, scoring Reardon for the 1-0 game.
 
Carnegie Mellon pulled even in the bottom of the third inning. Kira Monji was hit by a pitch and stole second. Kiera Boucher singled to center to put runners on the corners and both runners moved up a base on a throwing error, making it a 1-1 game.
 
WashU scored its remaining four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Senior Maggie Baumstark led off with a single to short, stole second and moved to third on a grounder from Reardon. Graduate student Dawson Dabboussi reached base on a fielder's choice to the pitcher and senior Brooke Capparelli, who came on to run for Dabboussi, stole second. Pilpil singled through the left side to score Baumstark for the first run of the inning.
 
First-year Emma Dow came on to run for Pilpil and stole second. Senior Taylor Geluck singled to second, scoring Capparelli and Dow went on to score on a throwing error. Junior Sydney Schneider singled to second and Geluck went on to score on a throwing error for the 5-1 game.
 
Baumstark went 2-for-3 with one run scored. Geluck finished 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI and Pilpil went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Sophomore Maria Brooks earned the win in the circle, pitching a complete game with five hits, one run and nine strikeouts.
 
The Bears wrap up the series with the Tartans tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. ET.