The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team split a doubleheader against UW-Stout to open Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on a beautiful Saturday at the van Steenderen Softball Complex. The Warhawks took game one 8-0 in five innings before falling in the nightcap 2-1.
UW-Whitewater took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first before exploding for six runs in the fourth.
Kiarra Kostroski (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) notched a one out single through the left side and advanced to second on a throw home. A wild pitch put Kostroski 60 feet away.
Grace Wickman (Wausaukee, Wis./Peshtigo) put the ball in play and a Blue Devil miscue allowed the first run to score.
Maddy Anderson (Waukesha, Wis./North) shutdown the UW-Stout offense allowing just two baserunners through the first four innings. Anderson helped herself with a deep ball that bounced off the fence in left center for a double in the fourth. A pair of walks sandwiched a fly out to load the bases. A wild pitch brough in the first run of the frame. The Blue Devil shortstop made a fantastic play on a foul fly ball at the fence for out number two. Following another walk,
Maggie Ward (Downers Grove, Ill./North) sent a ball slicing near the left field line that was dropped by the outfielder to plate two.
The Warhawk offense capitalized on the miscue with three consecutive hard-hit singles from Kostroski, Wickman and Anderson to bring in three more and give UWW a 7-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the fifth,
JJ Jakosalem (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove) drew a one out walk and moved to second on
Meghan Dunning's (Plainfield, Ill./South) single.
Kaitlyn Weidemann (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) singled up the middle as Jakosalem motored around the bases for the game-ending run.
Kostroski was stellar at the plate going 3-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Anderson was 2-3 with a RBI.
In the circle, Anderson threw a complete game two hitter striking out nine along the way.
UW-Stout capitalized on a pair of Warhawk miscues in the fifth inning of game two to take a 2-0 lead in the game. UWW had an opportunity in the bottom of the fifth, but a great throw from the Blue Devil centerfielder had the catcher tagging the Warhawks out at home to end the threat.
UW-Whitewater put runners in scoring position again in the bottom of the sixth as Wickman singled down the left field line. Sofia Kinjerski put the ball in play and the Blue Devils opted to try for Wickman at second but obstruction was called to put two Warhawks on.
Taylor Koehler (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) laced a ball to right field to bring in one. UW-Stout once again got out of the jam after a swinging strike throw down to first with the first baseman coming right back home to keep the run from scoring.
In the seventh,
Bella Eggert (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) beat out a soft slap to the pitcher with two outs. Kostroski sent a ball deep to left center that hung in the air with the strong winds allowing the left fielder to get back to make the catch for the 2-1 final.
Eggert was 2-2 at the plate to lead the UWW offense.
Rhiann Dick (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) suffered the loss in the circle in 4.2 innings of work. She struck out seven allowing just a single hit in the game.
Prior to the start of the doubleheader, UW-Whitewater recognized the 2014 Warhawk softball team that finished third in the nation. UWW honored the alumni in between games.
