The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team continued its strong play Sunday afternoon, earning a split against seventh-ranked Coe (Iowa) in a non-conference doubleheader at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
 
The Warhawks (18-6 overall) rebounded from a 10-5 setback in the opener to post a 1-0 triumph in the second game.
 
Following the completion of the nightcap, seniors Jessica Kaemerer (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way West), Haley Morelli (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein), Amy Ricci (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) and Cara Smoczynski (Aurora, Ill./Rosary) were recognized in a ceremony as part of Senior Day festivities. Over the last four years, UW-Whitewater has claimed two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, three conference tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances, and has won nearly 75 percent of its games during that span.
 
In Game 2 of Sunday's twin bill, freshman Bella Matthias (Greenfield, Wis./Greenfield) improved to 7-3 on the season with a one-hit shutout, allowing only a leadoff walk and a fourth-inning double while striking out seven batters.
 
The Warhawks scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the third, when junior left fielder Mallory Klotz (New Berlin, Wis./West) came around to score on an error with two outs in the inning.
 
Sophomore centerfielder Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) and sophomore designated player Julia Camardo (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) each tallied one hit to lead UW-Whitewater.
 
In the first game, Morelli socked a grand slam to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the third, but the Kohawks (22-5) plated three in the top of the fifth and three in the top of the seventh to emerge victorious.
 
Morelli, whose homer was her sixth of the season, also knocked in a run on a base hit in the fifth to complete a five-RBI game.
 
Catino finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Ricci, junior second baseman Michayla Swanson (Randolph, Wis./Randolph) and freshman third baseman Meg Cohrs (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland) tallied one hit apiece.
 
UW-Whitewater returns to conference play Wednesday with a doubleheader against UW-Platteville. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m. at van Steenderen Softball Complex.