The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team picked up a pair of victories Wednesday afternoon at UW-Platteville in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader in Platteville, Wis.
The Warhawks (16-7 overall, 5-1 WIAC) claimed the opener 4-0 before coming back for a 9-6 triumph in the second game.
Trailing 5-1 after two innings in the nightcap, UW-Whitewater drew to within a run on one swing of the bat as freshman shortstop
Emily Rux (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley) connected for a three-run homer, her third of the season.
After the Pioneers (2-14, 0-2) tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-4 advantage, the Warhawks rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth. Freshman catcher
Nikki Mikosz (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling), junior third baseman
Hannah Taylor (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South), sophomore left fielder
Mallory Klotz (New Berlin, Wis./West) and freshman centerfielder
Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) each plated runs during the frame.
Freshman pitcher
Julia Camardo (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) earned the victory in relief of junior starter
Stephanie Waller (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards), surrendering just one hit in three innings while striking out five.
Mikosz led the offense with three hits and two runs batted in.
In the opener, Mikosz and junior first baseman
Amy Ricci (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) each homered, and Camardo tossed a two-hit shutout with a season-high 15 strikeouts, tied for second most in one game in program history.
Ricci knocked a two-run homer in the top of the first to give the Warhawks the lead for good.
Mikosz, who finished 3-for-3 in the game, added a solo home run in the top of the sixth, and Rux hit a sacrifice fly to score Klotz, who tallied two hits.
Camardo struck out four straight batters to start the game, then posted a streak of five straight in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
UW-Whitewater continues its road swing this Saturday with a doubleheader at UW-Eau Claire. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
