By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Pella, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team opened NCAA Division III Regional action with a 2-0 win over Bethel University Thursday. The regional is hosted by Central College in Pella, Iowa. The Warhawks advance to play the host institution Friday at 11 a.m.
Two is still the lucky number for UWW – the Warhawks have now won five straight with two runs in their scoring column. Thursday, those two runs came in the bottom of the first frame. After a quick top of the first, the UW-Whitewater offense got right to it. Kaitlyn Weidemann drew a leadoff walk. Bella Eggert showcased her speed by laying down a perfect bunt and cruising to first without a throw made for the infield single. Weidemann moved up 60 feet on Kiarra Kostroski’s long fly ball to left field to put runners on the corners. Eggert got into a pickle between first and second on the next pitch. The Royal opted to hone in on Weidemann at third allowing Eggert to scamper to second.
Bella Eggert evades Bethel’s diving catcher to score UWW’s second run of the game (credit: Angela Kelm)
With two outs, Taylor Koehler put the ball in play and forced a Bethel error that allowed Weidemann to score easily. Eggert came motoring around third and continued home as the throw home came way up the line. Eggert avoided the diving catcher and slid into home for the 2-0 lead.
The Royals had a single runner on base each of the next three innings, but Maddy Anderson and the Warhawk defense held BU at bay. The best scoring opportunity for Bethel came in the fifth. Three consecutive base knocks loaded the bases with no outs. After a pair of changes in the circle, Brooke Hock took over and got out of the jam with a strike out, fly out and groundout to keep the shutout alive.
Hock and UWW defense went on the retire the next six batters in order to seal the win.
Eggert paced the Warhawk offense with a 2-3 game at the plate.
Anderson improved to 12-3 after scattering five hits across four innings of work. Hock registered her 12th save of the season, no-hitting the Royals in the final three innings of the game.
