The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team wrapped up its regular season non-conference schedule Wednesday with a doubleheader sweep against Carroll on All-American Day Presented by PremierBank at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
The Warhawks (17-15 overall) claimed an 8-3 victory in the opener before defeating the Pioneers 5-3 in the second game in five innings.
Prior to the start of Game 2, 2021 All-American
Kaleigh O'Brien (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) was honored and threw out the ceremonial first pitch as part of the athletic department's recognition of the school's All-Americans from the 2021 calendar year. O'Brien was named second team All-America by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and second team Academic All-America(R) by the College Sports Information Directors of America last spring.
In Game 1, UW-Whitewater scored six unanswered runs, including four in the bottom of the third inning and two in the fourth, to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 7-2 advantage.
Centerfielder
Kiarra Kostroski (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) reached base four times with three hits and one walk and added one run scored and two runs batted in. Shortstop
Meghan Dunning (Plainfield, Ill./South) also reached four times with two hits, including a solo home run, and two walks.
Second baseman
Brooke Mangler (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) tallied three hits, one run scored and two RBIs, while left fielder
Krista Sbarra (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) registered one hit, one run scored and one RBI. Catcher
Kennedy Cox (Janesville, Wis./Craig) and pinch hitter
Kendall Pliner (Mayville, Wis./Mayville) each knocked in one run.
Rhiann Dick (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) earned the win on the mound, striking out three batters over 5 1/3 frames.
Mallory Hollatz (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) collected her second save of the season, allowing one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.
In the second game, which was called due to darkness, Kostroski hit a two-run homer in the fifth to break a 3-3 tie.
UW-W tallied once in the first on a Carroll error and added two more in the second on an error and a run-scoring single to center by Mangler.
The Pioneers (18-12) responded with two in the top of the third to tie the game before Kostroski homered with one out in the fifth to put the Warhawks ahead for good.
Sbarra reached base twice with one hit and one walk while scoring two runs. Cox, Pliner, right fielder
Sophia Kinjerski (Maribel, Wis./Denmark) and third baseman
Grace Wickman (Wausaukee, Wis./Peshtigo) finished with one hit apiece.
Hollatz improved to 7-7 on the year with 2 1/3 scoreless frames of relief.
Kate Cleveland (DePere, Wis./Ashwaubenon) started the game for UW-Whitewater and pitched three innings.
The Warhawks visit UW-La Crosse Saturday for a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
