The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team opened the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament with a 2-1 win over UW-Eau Claire in Oshkosh Thursday. 

The Warhawks plated both of their runs in the bottom of the first. Kaitlynn Weidemann got things going with a double to right center. Kiarra Kostroski (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) drew a one out walk and Grace Wickman (Wausaukee, Wis./Peshtigo) tagged a single through the right side to load the bases. Taylor Koehler (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda) stepped up to the plate and set a drive to deep left for the sacrifice fly and a RBI. Maggie Ward (Downers Grove, Ill./North) drew a walk to load the bases once again and JJ Jakosalem (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove) took one for the team to plate Kostroski for a 2-0 UWW lead. 

Maddy Anderson (Waukesha, Wis./North) sent the Blugolds back to the dugout in order in the next two frames striking out four of the six batters along the way. 

UW-Eau Claire scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth. A hit-by-pitch in the leadoff spot was followed by a stolen base, single and a squeeze play for the Blugolds' score. 

UWEC had another opportunity in the sixth after a single and a sacrifice bunt, but Brooke Hock (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) took over in the circle and registered a pair of quick strikeouts. Hock posted two more K's in the seventh and forced the final out with a popup to that Meghan Dunning (Plainfield, Ill./South) hauled in at shortstop. 

UWW recorded four hits in the game - all by different Warhawks. 

Anderson picked up the win, her tenth of the season. She struckout eight while allowing just three hits in 5.1 innings of work. Hock came in for the final 1.2 innings, striking out four to tally her ninth save of 2024. 

UW-Whitewater advances to face UW-Oshkosh at 2 p.m. Thursday.