The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team remained unbeaten at home with a pair of wins over 25th-ranked Carroll on Monday at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
The Warhawks (6-4 overall) took the first game by a 3-1 score before ending the second contest in five innings by run rule by a 9-1 margin.
In the opener, pitcher
Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon) tossed a complete-game, five-hitter, allowing only one run and striking out two without a walk. She improved to 3-2 with the win.
Designated player
Kennedy Cox (Janesville, Wis./Craig) smashed a run-scoring double to center in the second inning with two outs to plate first baseman
Kaleigh O'Brien (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) and give UW-Whitewater a 1-0 lead.
UW-W touched home plate again in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by left fielder
Krista Sbarra (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East).
After the Pioneers (3-3) cut the Warhawks' lead to 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning, shortstop
Sophia Kinjerski (Maribel, Wis./Denmark) tallied a base hit up the middle to bring home O'Brien and provide a key insurance run.
Cleveland retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to end the contest. O'Brien finished 3-for-3, and Sbarra collected two hits.
In Game 2, Carroll took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first before UW-Whitewater registered nine unanswered runs, including one in the first, two in the second, five in the third and one in the fifth.
Mallory Hollatz (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) earned her first win of the year, striking out four and allowing only two hits over four innings.
Marissa Adams (Le Roy, Ill./Le Roy) pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning in relief.
Kinjerski led the offense with three hits and two runs batted in. Pflugradt scored two runs and totaled two hits, including a three-run homer. O'Brien posted two more hits and scored one run.
The Warhawks' defense didn't commit an error in either game.
UW-Whitewater returns to the diamond Saturday for a doubleheader against Chicago. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
