Columbus, Ga. - DePauw opened the 2025 season with a split at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic as it lost to seventh-ranked Case Western Reserve by a 10-2 score before topping fifth-ranked Belhaven, 7-6.

In the opening game, Case Western jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first before Ella Kuenster delivered a two-run homer in the top of the second to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. The Spartans, however, responded with two in the second, one in the third and sixth in the fourth for the five-inning win.

Five different Tigers collected one hit apiece, while Katelyn Lamm and Alaina Steffes each had three of Case Western's 12 hits.

Riley Depa started and took the loss, while Kylie Hosey picked up the win.

In the win over Belhaven, the Blazers scored four in the first on a three-run homer by Colby Hollinger and a solo shot from Lauren Dunbar.

The Tigers countered with three in the bottom of the first on Macey Cox's solo homer and Katie Mathies' two-run shot.

Anna Caime's sacrifice fly in the second scored Sarah Stockstill and extended Belhaven's lead to 5-3.

DePauw took the lead in the bottom of the second as Alex Romero-Salas singled home Libby Minobe and Kuenster hammered a three-run homer to make it 7-5.

Belhaven scored the game's final run in the fifth as Jordan Kanipe's grounder plated Dunbar.

Minobe, Cox and Romero-Salas each had two of DePauw's 11 hits as eight different Tigers collected hits. Dunbar had three of Belhaven's eight hits and Maci Baldwin added two.

Romero-Salas picked up the win after striking out eight in the complete game. Belle West dropped to 2-2 after entering in relief in the first inning.

DePauw faces Stevens tomorrow at 10 a.m. and St. John Fisher at 12:30 p.m.