La Crosse, Wis. -- The UW-Whitewater softball team opened Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a split in La Crosse Friday evening. The Warhawks took the opener 7-0 and dropped the nightcap 5-3. 

UWW put together a complete game in the opener -- the offense scored in four innings while the defense and pitching shutout the Eagles. The offense rallied with two outs in the top of the first to get on the board. Dani Peshia (Newark, Ill./Newark Community) and Emma Giese (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) drew back-to-back walks. Grace Grabowy (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) laced a single up the middle and a bobble by the outfielder had Peshia rounding third to score while Grabowy moved into scoring position. Maggie Ward (Downers Grove, Ill./North) showcased her wheels legging out an infield single to score Giese. The throw got away from the first baseman and Grabowy didn't hesitate to take advantage - bolting home after the miscue for the 3-0 UWW lead. 

That was all the Warhawks would need on the offensive end, but UWW added insurance runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to extend the gap. 

UW-Whitewater's seven hits came from seven different Warhawks in the contest. Giese reached on three of four plate appearances tallying a RBI and a run scored. 

Josie Hammen (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly) pitched an absolute gem to pickup the complete game win in the circle. The junior fanned nine without issuing a single walk in the three-hit shutout. 

The Eagles took an early lead in game two with a single run in the first. The Warhawks responded in the top of the second. Grabowy tagged a double and Auburn Roberson (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) followed suit with a two-bagger to left field to tie the game 1-1. 

In the top of the fourth, Ward lined a ball that squeaked inside the right field foul line to bring in pinch runner Belle Lapacek (Downers Grove, Ill./South). The speedster motored all the way to third and went on to score on Roberson's sacrifice fly in the next at bat. 

UW-La Crosse reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame with a three-run homer before adding a single insurance run in the fifth for the 5-3 final. 

Bella Eggert (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) paced the offense with a pair of hits. Madi DeBennette (Wadsworth, Ill./Carmel Catholic) suffered the loss in the circle striking out two in four innings of work.