Chicago, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team used strong pitching and timely hitting Sunday to post a 4-2 victory over the University of Chicago in the first of two games.
 
The Warhawks (10-5 overall) were defeated 6-4 in the second game of the doubleheader.
 
With two outs in the frame, freshman catcher Nikki Mikosz (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) doubled to left field to score senior infielder Maggie Hansen (Algonquin, IL/Jacobs), who walked in the first at-bat of the inning.  Freshman shortstop Emily Rux (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley) added onto their lead, plating sophomore Mallory Klotz (New Berlin, Wis./West) with a base hit to center field in the top of the third inning.
 
The Warhawks added two insurance runs in the top of the fourth inning on run-scoring hits by Klotz and freshman centerfielder Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove).
 
Freshman Julia Camardo (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) allowed just two runs on five hits and finished with three strikeouts to improve to 5-1 with a complete-game outing.
 
Klotz led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance and two runs scored, while Rux contributed two hits as well.
 
In the first game, the Warhawks left eight runners on base to go along with eight hits.
 
The Maroons (11-4 overall) tallied four runs in the first, one in the second, and one the third to come away with the victory in the night cap.
 
Freshman Molly Ethington (Rock Island, Ill./Alleman Catholic) fell to 2-2 on the year with a tough loss surrendering four earned runs, on four hits.
 
Klotz and Catino each posted two hits apiece in the contest to lead the offense. Junior first Baseman Amy Ricci (Gurnee, IL/Warren Township), junior outfielder Haley Morelli (Mundelein, IL/Mundelein), Hansen, and Mikosz also recorded one hit apiece.
 
UW-Whitewater returns to action on Thursday, April 7th in a non-conference doubleheader against Lake Forest (Ill.). Games are set to start at 3 p.m. with the second game to follow.