The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team started its 2022 season Friday and continued it Saturday by splitting doubleheaders at the National Training Center complex in Clermont, Fla.
 
The Warhawks (2-2 overall) began the trip Friday with a 6-4 victory in eight innings against Rhodes (Tenn.). Third baseman Grace Wickman (Wausaukee, Wis./Peshtigo) gave UW-W the lead in the top of the eighth, and right fielder Kiarra Kostroski (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) and catcher Kennedy Cox (Janesville, Wis./Craig) extended the advantage with run-scoring singles later in the frame.
 
The Lynx (7-10) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the frame, but pitcher Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon) induced a flyout with the game-winning run at the plate.
 
Cleveland (1-0) picked up the win in relief of Rhiann Dick (Palatine, Ill./Palatine), who struck out seven over five innings.
 
Wickman reached base three times with two hits and one walk and added two runs scored and one RBI. Kostroski tallied two hits and one RBI and Cox finished with two hits, one walk, one run scored and two RBIs.
 
Later on Friday, UW-Whitewater never led in a 7-3 setback against Western New England (4-6). Left fielder Krista Sbarra (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East), second baseman Delaney Becker (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) and centerfielder Grace Butler (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) posted two hits apiece to lead UW-W. Kostroski smashed a two-run homer and designated player Sydney Anderson (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien) knocked in one run.
 
Mallory Hollatz (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) took the loss for the Warhawks, starting and tossing 2 2/3 innings. Cleveland, Kathryn Kinsella (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) and Annie Morelli (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) each pitched in relief.
 
On Saturday, a four-run sixth inning was the difference in UW-Whitewater's 8-5 setback against New York University. UW-W led 5-4 heading into the sixth, when the Violets (5-7) plated four runs with one out to take the lead for good.
 
Shortstop Brooke Mangler (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) knocked a three-run homer and finished 2-for-4 to lead the Warhawks. Becker and Kostroski also each plated runs.
 
Dick suffered her first loss of the season, pitching 3 1/3 innings in relief of Cleveland. Morelli tossed one inning in relief.
 
UW-Whitewater capped the day with a 10-1 triumph in five innings against William Paterson (N.J.). UW-W scored six runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back.
 
Sbarra registered two hits, Becker tallied two runs scored and three RBIs and Mangler finished 2-for-3 with one run scored and two RBIs. First baseman Kendall Klatt (Kildeer, Ill./Mundelein) hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
 
Hollatz (1-1) pitched all five innings, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts.
 
The Warhawks take on Benedictine (Ill.) and Washington and Jefferson (Pa.) Sunday at 8:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Central Time, respectively.