The Emory University softball team split a doubleheader against the No. 5 Case Western Reserve Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Cooper Field.

The Eagles improve to 11-8 on the season while handing the Spartans their second loss of the year.

Game 1: CWRU 9, Emory 0 (5 innings)

The Spartans jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning due to a grand slam to center field. A single up the middle scored the fifth run in the top of the third inning followed by four more runs in the top of the fourth.

Freshman Ashley Chu attempted a rally in the bottom of the third with a single followed by a stolen base, but the Eagles were held to just two hits in the game and were unable to answer to the Spartans' pitching staff.

Game 2: Emory 3, CWRU 1

The bats came alive for Emory in the second game allowing the Eagles to take the series lead. Chu singled in the bottom of the third and stole two bases before a throwing error brought in the first run of the game for Emory.

Case Western Reserve tied the game in the top of the second on a single up the middle but were unable to add any more runs to the board in the inning.

Thanks to a fielder's choice from junior Natalie Swift and a double to the right field gap from junior Page Nellis, the Eagles were able to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a single from sophomore Kayla Lang.

The rest of the game was held scoreless on both sides while freshman Mackenzie Duford did not allow a hit for four straight innings. The Spartans attempted a rally in the top of the seventh, but the game ended on a pop-up to Chu.

The Eagles will face the Spartans in the series finale on Sunday, March 26 to round out opening weekend of UAA play.