It only took four and a half innings for UW-Whitewater to defeat Wellesley College 9-1 on Tuesday in Clermont, Florida. The win propels the Warhawks to 6-1 for the season and Wellesley falls to 2-3.

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Wellesley was the visiting team and struck first when their leadoff batter scored on a UW-W error in the top of the first inning. That would be the only run the Warhawks surrendered in the game as starting pitcher Jessica Stang (Minnetonka, MN/Minnetonka) went the distance giving up only one hit while striking out eleven. Stang is now 3-1 this season.

 

The Warhawks retaliated with four runs in the bottom of the first to take a three run lead. Amy Gahl (Beloit/Parkview) got things started with her second double of the season. Ashley Smith (Elgin, IL/St. Edward Catholic) followed with a single and then Suzanne Gersich (Wadsworth, IL/Warren) tripled for the second time this season to drive in both runners. Gersich then made it home after the next batter, Lauren Cruz (Des Plaines, IL/Maine West), singled. Cruz later came around to score on a Lauren Rankins (Marengo, IL/Marengo) single.

 

Whitewater tallied two more runs in the bottom of the second to expand their lead to five after another extra base hit by Gersich, this time a double, drove in Gahl and an Amanda LeBeau (Worth, IL/Richards) single that plated Gersich.

 

The Warhawks padded their lead in the bottom of the fourth scoring three more runs to give them a 9-1 lead. The fourth inning featured a Jordyn Gaza (Mundelein, IL/Carmel Catholic) single that scored two and a Wellesley error that allowed Liz Yucuis (S. Elgin, IL/St. Charles East) to score.

 

The Warhawks play again on Tuesday afternoon against Southern Maine.