CLERMONT, Fla. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team was defeated in a pair of tightly contested games Sunday at the National Training Center Softball Complex.
 
The Warhawks (2-3 overall) left 12 runners on base in a 5-2 setback against St. Scholastica (Minn.) to open the day, then were downed 2-0 against Elmhurst (Ill.) in the afternoon.
 
Against St. Scholastica (4-5), UW-Whitewater was unable to overcome a 5-0 deficit accumulated through 1 1/2 innings.
 
The Warhawks stranded two runners in the first and left the bases loaded in the second before getting on the board in the third on a two-out double to right center by sophomore second baseman Michayla Swanson (Randolph, Wis./Randolph).
 
UW-Whitewater narrowed the margin to three runs in the sixth on an error by the Saints, but was unable to push another runner across home plate.
 
Sophomore left fielder Mallory Klotz (New Berlin, Wis./West) led the Warhawks with three hits and a run scored, while Swanson and junior first baseman Amy Ricci (Gurnee, IL/Warren Township) collected two hits apiece.
 
Junior Stephanie Waller (Oak Lawn, IL/Richards) pitched six innings and allowed two runs in relief of freshman Molly Ethington (Rock Island, Ill./Alleman Catholic), who took her first loss of the season.
 
UW-Whitewater continued to hit the ball hard in the second game, but was shut out on five hits in the nightcap.
 
Elmhurst (3-2) plated one run each in the fourth and fifth innings against freshman pitcher Julia Camardo (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove), who dropped to 1-1 despite striking out seven batters in six innings.
 
Freshman centerfielder Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) and freshman catcher Nikki Mikosz (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) led the offense with two hits apiece. Senior designated player Maggie Hansen (Algonquin, IL/Jacobs) also had a hit.
 
After an off day Monday, the Warhawks continue action Tuesday against Illinois foes Benedictine (8 a.m. Central Time) and Millikin (10 a.m.).