Junior outfielder Julia Nicholus tracks the incoming pitch. (Isabella Diaz-Mira | Managing Photo Editor)

The No. 7 WashU softball team is the University Athletic Association (UAA) champion for the second year in a row after going 2-1 against Emory University on May 8 and 9. Emory and WashU were the two front-runners in the conference, so this three game series determined who would win the conference title. Going into this series, Emory was half a game behind WashU.

The Bears finished with a 15-3 record against UAA teams, while Emory finished just behind with a 13-4 conference record. 

In their first game against the Eagles, WashU quickly took the lead in the top of the third inning after a single from senior outfielder Sydney Schneider scored first-year center fielder Emmy May. Emory tied up the score in the bottom of the third.

The Bears reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth. First-year outfielder and UAA Rookie of the Year Julia Sullo singled and then stole second. Sullo came home on a Schneider double, bringing the lead to 2-1.

WashU increased its advantage in the top of the sixth to 4-1. Junior third baseman Kennedy Grippo hit a sacrifice bunt, allowing runners to get into scoring position. A sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Julia Nicholus then scored first-year outfielder Ava Peterson and senior catcher Alexa Hanish.

The Bears capped the scoring in the seventh inning. Schneider laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Sullo, while junior second baseman Elena Locascio added on with a two run home run. The Eagles scored once more, bringing the final score to 7-2 and giving WashU its first win of the series.

Schneider and Sullo both went 2-3, Schneider with three RBIs and Sullo with two runs scored.

In the day’s second game, the Bears scored their only run in the top of the first inning. Sullo hit a single and then advanced on a stolen base and sacrifice bunt from Schneider. Junior outfielder Kristina Donaldson singled, scoring Sullo and bringing the score to 1-0.

The Eagles tied the game up 1-1 in the bottom of the second. After a few scoreless innings, the Eagles scored once again in the seventh, bringing the final score to 2-1and giving the Bears their only loss of the weekend.

In the final game of the series on May 9, the Bears were dominant, delivering a 6-0 shutout over the Eagles. The game started off hot in the first inning with Sullo getting hit by a pitch and then stealing second base. Schneider nailed a home run over the fence to take a 2-0 lead. The Bears kept the Eagles scoreless with impressive defense, including a double play. 

In the top of the second inning, Grippo battled in a 13-pitch at bat where she managed to break through, getting a single. May also singled, and then first-year shortstop Katie Dolin laid down a bunt to move the runners. Sullo hit a sacrifice fly scoring Grippo, followed by a fielding error that scored May. Schneider then stole second. Sophomore first baseman Harper Nix singled and then advanced to second, scoring Schneider and bringing the lead to 5-0.

After three scoreless innings, Sullo doubled on the first pitch she saw. Sullo continued to third and easily ran home following a throwing error, allowing the Bears to take a 6-0 lead that would last for the rest of the game.

Grippo impressively went 3-3 at the plate with one run. Junior pitcher Maria Brooks improved to an impressive 16-0 this year, as she pitched the entire game and gave up no runs.

With these two wins against Emory, WashU won the UAA title for the second year in a row and solidified a spot for themselves in the D-III NCAA championships. WashU will host the NCAA Regionals, taking on Capital University as announced on May 11. The Bears will then play either University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh or Illinois College on May 15, depending on the results of each matchup.

Harper Nix is a Sports Editor at Student Life. She did not have any involvement in the writing or editing of this story.