For the second straight day, the Lynx found themselves facing a nationally ranked opponent, this time it was the #7 Washington University Bears.  The Bears appeared in control through the first 4 innings, leading 2-0 behind All-American pitcher Claire Voris, managing just 1 hit through the first 4 innings.  The Lynx rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the 5th, and held on for their second win over a nationally ranked oppoenent in as many days.  Senior Cindy Bitters picked up her first win of the season, giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings of work.  Her fellow seniors contributed to the cause, as Allison Conn delivered a 2-out, bases loaded single to tie the game, followed by a 2-run double from Sara Bowen to give the Lynx the lead.  Bowen then came in relief and held the Bears scoreless over the last 2 innings to pick up her first save of the season.

Bears leadoff hitter Ashley Janseen led off the game with a single, but was caught stealing, but then a walk and hit batter gave the Bears a scoring opportunity.  Bitters coaxed Voris into a fly out to center to  get out of the threat.

Voris cruised threw the first 4 innings, as just 2 Lynx reached first base.  Conn bunted and reached on an error in the first, and Olivia Ryan singled in the second, but neither made it into to scoring position.  With 2 outs in the 4th, Bears right fielder Maggie Mullen blasted a 2-run home run over the left field fence to give the Bears a 2-0 lead, which seemed for a while like it might hold up.

But the Lynx had other plans . Sophomore third baseman Katie Stich lined a ball to left centerfield, just off the glove of a diving Janssen, and hustled into second for a double.  Sophomore second baseman Megan Matthews hit a grounder in the hole to short for an infield single, then freshman Jessica Becher chopped a ball up the middle that was stopped by a diving Rebecca Salisbury, but the Bears had no play.

Voris fought back and appeared to be on her way out of trouble, striking out the next two Lynx hitters, until Conn lined a 1-1 pitch up the middle, scoring Stich and a hustling Matthews on a close play at the plate, allowing Conn to advance to second.  Voris fell behind 2-0 on Bowen, who ripped the next pitch to righ center, scoring Conn and Becher and giving the Lynx a 4-2 lead after 5 innings.

The Lynx called on Bowen out of the bullpen to close the door, coming in relief of Bitters.  She promptly retired the Bears in order in the 6th and the first two hitters of the 7th, before things got interesting.  A miscommunication on an infield fly allowed Alyssa Abramoski to reach first, then Corissa Santos popped a short blooper in front of first base, which just eluded the glove of a diving Ryan.  WIth runners on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs, Bowen struck out Bears cleanup hitter Ally Berenter to seal the win for the Lynx

Becher paced the Lynx offense with 2 hits and a run scored, while Bowen also added 2 hits.  Conn, Ryan, Stich and Matthews also had hits for the Lynx. 

Bitters tossed 5 strong innings to pick her first win of the season, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 3.  Bowen struck out 3 and allowed just 1 hit to pick up her first save on the year.    The Lynx are 3-1 heading into next weekend's Holiday Deli Classic, which will feature Millikin  Piedmont, Agnes Scott, and Southwest Tennessee.