Friday, April 23, 2021
Box Score, Game 1: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/softball/2021/sb23.htm
Box Score, Game 2: https://static.uwwsports.com/custompages/softball/2021/sb24.htm
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team defeated UW-La Crosse 6-2 in the first game before being edged 1-0 in the second game of Friday’s Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at van Steenderen Softball Complex.
With the split, the Warhawks (16-8 overall, 6-4 WIAC) remained in third place in the conference standings, one-half game ahead of the Eagles (10-8, 5-4).
In Game 1, catcher Nikki Mikosz hit her league-leading eighth home run of the season, and designated player Kennedy Cox, left fielder Krista Sbarra and second baseman Delaney Becker each plated runs to lead the offense.
Centerfielder Vera Pflugradt totaled three hits, finishing with a single, double and triple to complete three-fourths of a cycle, and scored one run.
Pitcher Kate Cleveland earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. Reliever Marissa Adams picked up her second save of the year, tossing 2 2/3 shutout innings and escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the fifth.
UW-La Crosse took a 1-0 advantage in the top of the second before UW-Whitewater tied it in the bottom half of the frame on Becker’s sacrifice fly.
The Warhawks plated three in the third on an error and Mikosz’s two-run homer to deep left field. UW-W scored two more in the fourth on Sbarra’s infield single and Cox’s double to left center.
In the second game, the Warhawks loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but a line drive was caught, and the runner on second was doubled off to end the game.
Rhiann Dick scattered eight hits and struck out a season-high seven over five innings, taking the tough-luck loss to drop to 5-4. Adams tossed two more shutout innings in relief.
First baseman Kaleigh O’Brien reached base twice with one hit and one walk. Third baseman Meg Cohrs and right fielder Meghan Dunning accounted for UW-W’s other hits with one apiece.
UW-Whitewater visits UW-La Crosse for two more games this Sunday. First pitch of the non-conference doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
