Senior Jamie Burgasser pitches in a home game against Brandeis. (Luc Neacy | Contributing Photographer)

The No. 11 WashU softball team swept Carnegie Mellon University in a three game series. The Bears now have an impressive 14-1 record and rank first in the University Athletic Association (UAA). WashU has now secured a share of the UAA title and one more win next weekend would secure a solo conference victory, which would be its first since 2017. This helps the Bears’ position going into regionals, which begin May 15, and super regionals, starting on May 22. Finals will take place the next week, beginning on May 29, and will be held in Bloomington, Illinois.

“We’re still practicing hard and I think we know not to let up on the hard work in practice. I feel like our team is taking it very seriously,” sophomore Kristina Donaldson said. “Going into postseason, we’re optimistic and know that we have potential. But we’re just taking things one game at a time, and being confident within ourselves.”

Game 1

The first game of the series ended in a 5-1 win against the Tartans. The Bears’ scoring began in the third inning with a double from senior Natalia Pilpil, which brought senior Erin Reardon home. The Tartans quickly tied 1-1 in the top of the third.

The Bears had an eventful top of the fifth inning. The action began with a single hit by senior Maggie Baumstark, who stole second and then was able to move to third from a Reardon grounder. Graduate student Dawson Dabboussi made it to first on a fielder’s choice. Senior Brooke Capparelli came in as a pinch runner for Dabboussi and stole second. The first run of the inning finally occurred when Pilpil hit a single that allowed Baumstark to run home.

First-year Emma Dow came in as a pinch runner for Pilpil and was able to steal second. Senior Taylor Geluck singled, allowing Capparelli to score. Soon after, Dow was able to score on a throwing error. Junior Sydney Schneider singled and Geluck was able to score on another throwing error. This brought the game to 5-1.

There was no scoring in the rest of the game.

Baumstark finished the game going 2-3, scoring one run. Geluck went 2-4 with one run and one RBI, while Pilpil also went 2-4 but had two RBI.

Sophomore Maria Brooks pitched a complete game and had nine strikeouts.

Game 2

The Bears started their second game against the Tartans on April 26 with another win.

The Bears began with a strong first inning, sparked by Reardon walking after getting hit by a pitch, allowing her to then steal second base. Capparelli was also able to steal second base after hitting a single. Pilpil then hit a sacrifice fly that scored Reardon. The scoring in the first ended with a double from Geluck that scored Capparelli, putting the Bears up 2-1.

The Tartans responded quickly with a run in the second inning, and then tied in the third, bringing the score to 2-2.

The Bears countered this with a successful top of the fifth inning. It started with Reardon hitting a double before stealing third base. Capparelli got on base after a fielder’s choice and Reardon scored. Pilpil and Geluck singles loaded up the bases, while first-year Harper Nix grounded out, allowing Capparelli to score. Donaldson hit a single that scored Dow, who was in as a pinch runner for Pilpil. All of this put the Bears up 6-2.

The Tartans scored one last run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Bears took a 6-3 win.

Reardon went 2-3 with two runs scored, Geluck went 2-4 with one RBI and one run, and Donaldson had two RBIs. Senior Jamie Burgasser pitched the entire game and had five strikeouts.

Game 3

The Bears finished their sweep with an 8-2 win over the Tartans.

The bottom of the second inning began with a run from the Tartans, allowing Carnegie Mellon to take an early 1-0 lead.

The Bears countered this lead in the top of the third inning, scoring four runs. Caparelli hit a triple to start off the sequence. This was quickly followed by Pilpil drawing a walk and stealing second base. After another walk by Geluck and Schneider getting on base from a fielder’s choice, Capparelli scored, tying the game 1-1.

Donaldson hit second, recording her first ever collegiate home run, which left the score 4-2.

“I feel like I was seeing the ball well,” Donaldson said. “I was just really happy to contribute in any way possible.”

The Bears’ scoring did not end there. WashU scored four more runs in the top of the sixth inning. The sequence began with two walks by sophomore Kennedy Grippo and Dabboussi, who was hit by a pitch. Grippo stole third and then made it home to bring the score to 5-1.

Sophomore Elena Locascio singled and then quickly advanced to second. Pilpil singled, allowing Locascio to run home. Geluck then hit a home run, allowing herself and Pilpil to score. This was Geluck’s fourth home run of the season.

Carnegie Mellon scored one last run in the bottom of the seventh, but they ended up falling short to the Bears 8-2.

Capparelli went 2-3 with one run, Locascio went 2-2 with one run, Geluck had two RBIs and two runs, and Donaldson finished 2-3 with three RBIs and a run.

Senior Jordan Rossi pitched four innings and had three strikeouts.

The Bears have just one regular season series left against Emory University, from Friday, May 9 to Saturday, May 10. This series will take place at home and will honor the team’s seniors. This series will determine the teams they will play going into the postseason.