CLERMONT, Fla. -  Despite building a three-run lead early in the game, the Union College Softball team fell 6–5 (8 inn.) to the University of Chicago in Game One before rebounding with a commanding 10–2 victory (6 inn.) over Knox College in Game Two to open the NTC Spring Games on Saturday afternoon at Hancock Park.

Game 1: Chicago 6, Union 5

Junior Sam Rose led the way for Union (2-3) in the first game going 1-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Sophomore Kyla Springer and senior Ellie Wintringer each contributed a run. Sophomore Amy FitzPatrick also chipped in with a hit and an RBI, while sophomore Carra Cleaves scored a run and drove one in, and junior Sophia Burynski drew two walks and added an RBI.

Union jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues as Rose scored on a throwing error by the shortstop, followed by Springer coming home on an error by the second baseman. However, Chicago responded quickly in the bottom half, tying the game at two behind an RBI single from Audrey Hui that scored Madeline Murphy, while a sacrifice play brought in Natalie Antin for another run.

The Garnet Chargers regained control in the third inning with a three-run surge. Cleaves reached on a fielder's choice to bring home Rose for an unearned run, before FitzPatrick followed with an RBI single to score Wintringer. Burynski then drew a bases-loaded walk to score Cleaves.

Chicago chipped away late, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Antin in the fifth before adding two more runs in the sixth with an RBI double from Murphy to tie the game. In the eighth inning, Antin delivered a sacrifice fly that allowed Sedona Ding to score the game-winning run, securing the 6–5 victory for Chicago.

Game 2: Union 10, Knox 2

First-year Amelia Brancazio was dominant in the circle, striking out 10 batters while allowing only three hits, two runs, and four walks over six innings in the second game. Offensively, seven players paced the attack for Union (3-3). Junior Sophia Gomes went 2-for-2 with three RBIs, while Cleaves went 2-for-3 with an RBI. First-year Ashley Callery added two hits and an RBI in four at-bats, and Springer recorded a hit with two RBIs and a run scored. First-year Kaylee Shaw went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and senior Elizabeth Werner contributed an RBI and a run. Sophomore Riley Jahnle also crossed the plate twice.

The Garnet Chargers jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Werner singled to center to bring home Cleaves, and Springer stole home to push the lead to 2-0. Callery capped the inning with a line-drive double that scored Werner.

Union extended their lead in the bottom of the second as Cleaves doubled to center to drive in Gomes, while Springer grounded out to score first-year Amelia Ormond. They added another run in the third as Gomes doubled down the left-field line to drive in Shaw, making the score 6-0.

Knox got on the board in the fifth inning as Taylor Goudschaal singled to left field, driving in two runs, with Maddie Hicks and Maria Olivas scoring unearned runs. However, Union continued to add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth as Gomes singled to right field to drive in Jahnle and Callery. Later in the same inning, Springer hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Shaw to score.

In the sixth inning, Union capped off the scoring as Shaw reached first on a fielding error by the first baseman, allowing Jahnle to score an unearned run.

Union continues its Spring Games action tomorrow with a doubleheader, taking on NESCAC foes Colby College at 10:00 a.m. and Middlebury College at 2:30 p.m.