The Emory University softball team dropped its first game against the Case Western Reserve Spartans as they were unable to slow down the Spartans bats.

The Spartans accumulated three home runs on the way to their 5-2 victory over the Eagles that brings Emory's record to 15-12 and 4-5 in UAA play.

Despite bursts of offensive prowess, the Eagles were unable to string together long stretches of high-level offense for most of the game. Senior Mattie Ryan had a strong performance in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 at the plate including a double and a solo shot over the right field fence in the fourth inning. Ryan also started in the circle for the Eagles pitching a complete game and moving her season record to 12-4. Sophomore Rachel Cocolis contributed an extra-base hit with her sixth double of the year. Graduate student Natalie Costero had a rock-solid day at the plate going 2-for-3 to move her season batting average to .333.

The Spartans started the game off with a home run in the bottom of the first which set the tone for the remainder of the game. The Eagles couldn't get any offense going and the Spartans bats stayed hot contributing a home run in each of the third and fourth innings. The Eagles scored their first run of the game in the first at-bat of the fourth inning off a solo shot from Ryan. The Eagles continued to put a dent into the Spartans lead with an RBI single up the middle from junior Tyler Miller in the sixth inning that cut the lead to three. The Eagles were unable to put up anymore runs which saw them fall in seven innings 5-2 in the first game of the four-game series.

The Eagles are back in action for a doubleheader rematch against the Spartans in Cleveland, OH with the first game set to begin at 3:00 PM on Saturday.