The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team split with UW-River Falls, falling, 5-4 in the first game, and defeating UW-River Falls, 10-2, in the second game in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader Friday in Platteville, Wis.
 
With the first-game loss, UW-Whitewater's 27-game winning streak against WIAC opponents was snapped. The run began in the 2016 WIAC Tournament, continued through last season's regular season and conference tournament and concluded following the team's 6-0 start in league play in 2018.
 
In the second game, the Warhawks forced an early end to the game in the sixth inning due to run rule and recorded 10 hits compared to just six by the Falcons.
 
Sophomore Bella Matthias (Greenfield, Wis./Greenfield) tossed the entire second game and recorded the win to make her season record 6-4, striking out eight batters in the performance.
 
Freshman designated player Vera Pflugradt (Lake Zurich, Ill./Stevenson) was 3-for-3 at bat and posted three runs and one run batted in. Senior outfielder Mallory Klotz (New Berlin, Wis./West) tallied two hits, two runs and one RBI and senior outfielder Caitlin Catino (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) recorded two hits, three RBI and one run.
 
In the first inning, UW-Whitewater tallied four runs and three hits, while the Falcons committed two errors. 
 
A ground out to second base from junior first baseman Molly Ethington (Rock Island, Ill./Alleman Catholic) sent in sophomore outfielder Megan Schweitzer (Appleton, Wis./East) to record the first run for UW-Whitewater.
 
Catino singled up the middle and sent in sophomore catcher Nicole Neitzel (Verona, Wis./Verona Area) and Klotz to give the team a four-run lead through one frame.
 
In the second inning, the Warhawks posted two more runs. Pflugradt singled down the left field line and sent in Berglund.
 
Ethington reached on an error by UW-River Falls and Schweitzer recorded a run to make the score 6-0 at the end of the second inning.
 
Neitzel recorded an RBI in the sixth inning, sending in Pflugradt for UW-Whitewater. Catino registered a triple to right field and sent in Klotz.
 
Catino scored on a passed ball to end the contest.
 
Despite the Warhawks out-hitting the Falcons 11-8 in the first game, UW-River Falls tallied a double and a single in the fifth inning that sent in two runners to take the lead for good.
 
Junior Julia Camardo (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) tossed the entire first game, registered 12 strikeouts in the loss, which dropped her season record to 7-3. Pflugradt was 2-for-2 at bat, posting one run and tallying two RBI.  Sophomore third baseman Meg Cohrs (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland) recorded two hits, one run and one RBI, and junior shortstop Kelly Berglund (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) tallied two hits and one run.
 
The Warhawks continue WIAC play Sunday in a doubleheader against UW-Oshkosh at 2 p.m. at van Steenderen Softball Complex.