With a sweep over New York University Violets over the weekend, the Case Western Reserve University softball team was crowned the University Athletic Association (UAA) champions for the second straight year, clinching the title by a dominant four and a half games. The Spartans, who also set the program record for consecutive wins with 16 straight, now stand at 31-2 overall, which is the most total wins since 2018 (38 wins). Their 17-2 record in conference play is also a program record since the introduction of site play in 2017.

On Friday April 21, the Spartans opened their first game with a run from third-year infielder KaiLi Gross. Following a walk, Gross stole second base and came home for the point following a single by third-year outfielder Kela Jagoda. Gross doubled the Spartans’ lead in the third inning with her fourth triple of the season and a two-out single by fourth-year infielder Amanda Riely. 

NYU, meanwhile, was held scoreless by second-year pitcher Lexi Miskey, who completed her second shutout this season after striking out nine batters in seven innings, allowing only three hits and three walks. 

CWRU closed the match in the final inning with three runs. Jagoda notched her second run batted of the game in that allowed third-year Jordon Manworron to score. A single from fourth-year Carli Tucci and an error from NYU resulted in two more runs for the 5-0 CWRU victory.

The second match of the day yielded similar results, with the Spartans winning it 2-0. This time, second-year Kylie Hosey pitched her first shutout of the season after scattering six hits and two walks during the seven innings. In the third inning, Jagoda recorded her third run driven in that allowed first-year infielder Elizabeth Berry to score. Tucci capped off scoring with a one-out solo home run in the fourth inning, her fifth of the season.

The next day, Miskey came out with fire in the first game and didn’t allow a single hit in the first five innings. She completed six innings with just one hit, three walks and striking out six batters. Third-year pitcher Jenna Jaklich completed the Spartans’ 11th shutout of the season and eighth in UAA play. Gross, who went two-for-three at bat, scored twice, drove in a run and stole two bases. Riely notched her sixth three-hit game of the season, which included driving in a pair of runs, while Berry scored twice with two hits. The Spartans handily closed out this game 7-0. 

NYU finally managed to get on the scoreboard in the final game of this four-game homestand, but the Spartans pulled off the 3-2 win to complete the weekend sweep. Berry kicked off scoring in the second inning with a one-out single that drove in first-year Anna Gobeyn. Third-year Stevie Rieger scored on Berry’s two-out single in the fourth to increase CWRU’s lead to two runs. 

The Violets finally plated in the fifth inning, scoring on a bases-loaded hit to cut CWRU’s lead to 2-1. Coming off an instrumental groundout from Berry at the top of the sixth inning, Hosey ran home to make the lead 3-1 for the Spartans. This was especially key since the Violets almost made a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring off a single. Miskey ensured that an upset was impossible with a swinging strikeout to seal the sweep. 

Miskey recorded her first save of the season after allowing one run on two hits, two walks and striking out two batters in two innings. After striking out 158 opponents, Miskey needs just one more strikeout to tie for third in a single season for program history. She was named the UAA Pitcher of the Week for her stellar play 15 innings for a 0.47 ERA. 

In 19 conference games, the Spartans have outscored their opponents 112-38 with a 1.93 ERA and 126 strikeouts.

The Spartans have three double-headers remaining in their regular season schedule. They will hit the road against the University of Mount Union on April 30. On May 6, CWRU will celebrate Senior Day as they host the College of Wooster. Their regular season finale will be in Illinois as they face-off against the University of Chicago on May 13.