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Post-Game Interview
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team completed its fourth straight NCAA Division III Tournament appearance Saturday by splitting a pair of games in regional action at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill.
The Warhawks (29-14 overall) scored three late runs to defeat Aurora (Ill.) by a 4-2 score in their first game of the day.
The team was eliminated from the regional by an 8-0 tally in five innings against Lake Forest (30-13) in its second game of the day.
Following the conclusion of play, freshman pitcher Julia Camardo and freshman shortstop
Emily Rux (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley) were named to the Lake Forest Regional All-Tournament Team.
UW-Whitewater claimed the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's automatic bid to the tournament after winning last weekend's WIAC Championship. The team posted a 4-0 mark, including a 13-inning, walk-off 2-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire in the title game.
"I was happy with our 'no die' attitude," head coach
Brenda Volk said. "That's kind of been the way we've played all season. I was proud that they never gave up, especially in advancing to this last game."
Against Aurora (32-14), the Warhawks tallied all three runs in the top of the seventh after there were two outs.
With the bases loaded, Rux came through with a two-run, go-ahead single through the right side. Senior first baseman
Amy Ricci (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) plated an insurance run with a base hit to center to give UW-Whitewater a two-run lead.
Camardo retired the side in order in the bottom half of the seventh to complete a scoreless relief outing. She allowed just two hits and one walk in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Camardo came on for starter
Stephanie Waller (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards), who surrendered only two unearned runs in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
Rux led the offense with two hits, two runs batted in and a run scored. Senior designated player
Maggie Hansen (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) knocked in a run with a two-out base hit in the top of the fourth.
The Spartans registered two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead, but were held in check by Camardo to set up the Warhawks' comeback.
UW-Whitewater was limited to one hit, a fifth-inning single by freshman centerfielder
Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove).
The Foresters tallied all eight of their runs in the top of the fourth.
Camardo (18-6) took the loss, allowing six unearned runs in 3 1/3 innings.
The Warhawks are slated to return all but two players to their 2017 roster. Hansen and outfielder
Morgan Parise (Sheboygan, Wis./North) are the lone seniors on this year's team.
"I've been excited since I saw our freshmen in the fall," Volk said. "We've started five or six freshmen all year long.
"We're pretty excited about the future. We still have some things we need to work on, on and off the field, but I couldn't be more excited for the next few years."
