The Warhawk softball team, ranked eleventh in a National Fastpitch Coaches Association top 25 poll, split with UW-Superior Saturday afternoon winning the first game 13-3 in five innings and dropping the nightcap 1-0 in eight innings in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener played at van Steenderen field in Whitewater.

Photo Gallery courtesy of Crystal Meyer (all photos are for sale)

Game One Recap

Box Score

Big bats led the way for UW-W in the first game. The Whitewater hitters posted 13 runs, seven in the second inning alone, on 12 hits including a double, triple and three homeruns.

Ten different Warhawks recorded hits in the game. Senior Lauren Rankins (Marengo, IL/Marengo) and sophomore Emily Epifanio (Park Ridge, IL/Maine South) were each 2x2 at the plate with Rankins adding two runs scored and Epifanio contributing three RBI. Freshmen Laura Eichenold (Elmwood Park, IL/Trinity) and Kelly McGrail (Tinley Park, IL/V.J. Andrew) went 1x2 and 1x1respectively in the batter's box each recording their first homers as Warhawks. Eichenold added two runs and two RBI. Senior Haley Krueger (Beach Park, IL/Waukegan) tagged a three-run homer in the game, notching her second of the season.

Senior lefty Jessica Stang (Minnetonka, MN/Minnetonka) went the distance on the mound for Whitewater allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking three in five innings.

Game Two Recap

Box Score

The second game marked a change of pace going from the offensive onslaught in game one to a defensive battle in game two.

Scoreless after regulation play, UW-Superior's Ashlee Olson led off the eighth inning with a homerun over the center field fence scoring the lone run of the game. UW-W had a chance in bottom of the eight with runners on first and second and two out but failed to score.

Sophomore righty Katie Boyle (Greendale/Thomas More) picked up the loss to move to 2-2 on the season allowing seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks in seven innings pitched.

Amanda LeBard recorded the complete game win for the Yellowjackets to improve to 8-4.

UW-W is now 13-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. UW-Superior moves to 14-6 and 1-1.

The Warhawks are scheduled to face St. Norbert College Sunday, April 3 at noon in Whitewater.

For additional information: UW-W coach, Brenda Volk