Clermont, FL -- The UW-Whitewater softball team improved to 4-0 with two more wins in The Spring Games Monday. The Warhawks cruised to an 11-0 (five inning) win over Scranton and capped the day with a thrilling 8-7 win over Springfield.
After a pair of scoreless innings in the opener, the Warhawks capitalized on a miscue to plate the first run of the game.
Maggie Ward (Downers Grove, Ill./North) put the pressure on the defense with her speed, hustling down the line and forcing an errant throw.
Bella Eggert (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) followed with an infield single and
Emma Giese (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) drove in Ward on a RBI single to left center.
Kate Weidemann tagged a one-out triple that sailed clear over the center fielder's head to spark the offense again in the fourth.
Keira Jarrett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Mother McAuley) plated Weidemann on a single to right center. A fielder's choice and a walk loaded the bases and
Claire Kohnle (Tisch Mills, Wis./Kewaunee) took advantage. Her single to center brought in two to extend the lead to 4-0.
UW-Whitewater scored seven in the fifth off of five hits and two errors to push the margin to 11-0 and put the run-rule in effect.
The Warhawks defense allowed a single base runner in the final frame for the shortened-game win.
UWW registered 10 hits - all from different batters in the game. In the circle,
Josie Hammen (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly) pitched a complete game gem. She struck out three while allowing three hits in five innings of work to move to 2-0 on the season.
The wind played a huge factor in the nightcap making nearly every play anything but routine. The offenses took advantage - each plating six runs through the top half of the fifth. In the bottom of the frame, the Warhawks got going with two down after Kohnle drew a walk.
Auburn Roberson (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) launched a sky ball in the infield that had the defense wary as Kohnle motored around the bases. The ball hit a fielder's glove and dropped to the dirt as Kohnle rounded third. The play at the plate was close, but Kohnle's hustle was rewarded as the ump signaled safe.
JJ Jakosalem (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove) added one more in the inning with a RBI single to center.
The Pride cut the margin in the top of the seventh. That run came on a sacrifice fly ball to center. Eggert played the ball perfectly and tossed a dart home. Jakosalem fielded and swiped, but the baserunner slid just out of reach to make it 8-7.
Brooke Hock (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) forced a popup that
Grace Wickman (Wausaukee, Wis./Peshtigo) hauled in to end the game.
Kostroski went 3-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored to pace the Warhawk offense. Eggert and Giese tallied two hits each, combining for three RBI and two runs scored.
Hock picked up the win in 3.2 innings of relief. She allowed just two hits without an earned run while fanning five.
