CLERMONT, Fla. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team finished its annual spring break trip Thursday with victories over Lawrence and St. Norbert at the National Training Center Softball Complex.
 
The Warhawks (7-4 overall) downed Lawrence 12-3 in their opener before posting a 13-2 triumph over St. Norbert in their second game of the day. Both games were called after the fifth inning by run rule.
 
In the game against Lawrence (5-4), UW-Whitewater scored runs in ever inning, pulling away from the Vikings with a six-run third.
 
Sophomore left fielder Mallory Klotz (New Berlin, Wis./West), sophomore designated player Maddie Drain (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), freshman centerfielder Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) and freshman shortstop Emily Rux (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley) led a balanced Warhawk offense with two hits apiece.
 
Catino, Rux and Drain each knocked in a pair of runs, while junior first baseman Amy Ricci (Gurnee, IL/Warren Township) plated a team-best three runs.
 
Freshman pitcher Molly Ethington (Rock Island, Ill./Alleman Catholic) picked up her first victory of the year on the mound. The left-hander didn't allow a hit and walked just one batter while striking out four in four innings of work.
 
Against St. Norbert (0-8), UW-Whitewater broke open a 2-2 tie with five runs in the top of the fourth inning and another six in the top of the fifth.
 
Catino finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. Klotz posted two hits, two runs scored and one RBI, and Drain plated two runs with a double off the centerfield wall in the fifth.
 
Junior pitcher Cara Smoczynski (Aurora, IL/Rosary) collected her first win of the season in a complete-game effort, striking out three and scattering five hits over five innings.
 
The Warhawks are scheduled to host Carthage Wednesday for the team's 2016 home opener at van Steenderen Softball Complex. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 3 p.m.