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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team advanced to a NCAA Regional title game with a 3-2 win over Coe College Friday afternoon. The Warhawks will take on the winner of a game against Coe and Transylvania yet to wrap up at the van Steenderen Softball Complex in Whitewater Friday evening.
UWW, the designated away team despite playing on their home field, opened the scoring in the top of the first.
Kiarra Kostroski (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) singled to left center to lead off the game.
Maggie Ward (Downers Grove, Ill./North) dropped down a perfectly placed bunt in front of the plate to force a throwing error that put runners on the corners for the Warhawks. After an out and a stolen base,
Taylor Koehler (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) got a hold of one to center, deep enough to score Kostroski from third for the first run of the game.
A couple of hits for the Kohawks in the bottom of the frame and the teams headed into the second tied at 1-1.
The Warhawks added to their total in the second.
Delaney Becker (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) singled down the left field line and advanced to second on a fielder's choice that included a Coe miscue to have both runners safe.
Krista Sbarra (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) singled beat out an infield single to load the bases. Ward blasted a single to center field with two outs easily scoring Becker. Kinjerski motored around third forcing a close play at the plate. As she collided with the catcher, the umpire outstretched his arm indicating obstruction and giving the Warhawks their second run of the inning.
The 3-1 lead held until Coe plated one more in the bottom of the fourth. The Kohawks didn't register a hit but capitalized on a couple of miscues to pull within one.
UWW didn't allow a Coe baserunner passed second the rest of the way to hang on for the win.
Kostroski and Ward, the Warhawks' top two batters in the lineup, combined to go 4-7 with 2 RBI and a run scored.
Maddy Anderson (Waukesha, Wis./North) registered the start and picked up the win. In 5.1 innings pitched, she allowed just three hits while striking out six.
Brooke Hock (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) came in for the final 1.2 innings to post her sixth save of the season.