Clermont, Fla. -- Despite playing just five innings, it took four hours for the Warhawks to register a win Monday in Clermont. UW-Whitewater ended up registering a 9-1 run-rule win over Worcester State on the day. 

A plethora of rain overnight forced The Spring Games tournament director to adjust schedules early with the Warhawks waking up to realize their originally scheduled 9 AM game was pushed to the afternoon and they would start with Worcester State. The Warhawks and Lancers were ready to go at the 11:15, but the field was not. After nearly an hour of work on the field and allowing the sun to dry the field, the teams finally took the field. 

Bella Eggert (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) got the party started with a single up the middle and she moved up 60-feet on a groundout. Grace Grabowy (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) drove a ball to left center to plate the first run of the game. Two batters later, Emma Giese's (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) single through the right side score UWW's second run of the contest. 

In the top of the third, Eggert once again started the hit parade with a shot to left field for another base knock. Maggie Ward (Downers Grove, Ill./North) legged out a single to the shortstop. After a fielder's choice, Giese blasted a no-doubter that easily cleared the wall in right center for the three-run homer and a 5-0 UWW lead. 

WSU was able to push a run across in the bottom of the third to make it 5-1. 

The Warhawk offense was rolling again in the fourth as Liv Ybarra (Chicago, Ill./Taft) laced a ball through the right side and down the line for a single. In the middle of Rachel Radish's (Merton, Wis./Arrowhead) at bat, the umpires called time as the park directors sounded the lightning alarm forcing all teams to evacuate the complex and head to their vehicles. Nearly an hour went by before the teams were allowed to return, but the Warhawk bats were still hot. Radish sent the first pitch of the restart up the middle for a single to spark a four-run frame and push the gap to 9-1. 

The UW-Whitewater defense held the rest of the way for the win. 

Josie Hammen (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly) tossed a phenomenal game despite having to warm up three times. The junior struck out six while allowing just three hits in five innings of work in the circle. 

Eggert, Ward and Giese all registered multiple hits with Giese driving in four runs in the game. 

With another round of storms rolling through the area in the afternoon, the Warhawks' second game of the day was canceled. UWW is back at it Tuesday with a doubleheader at Legends Way starting at 9 AM ET.