Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Warhawk Softball Earns Close Victories on the Road
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team extended its active win streak to eight games Tuesday with back-to-back, one-run wins at UW-Platteville in a non-conference doubleheader.
The Warhawks (24-8 overall) tied the first game in the seventh inning and tallied the go-ahead run in the eighth for a 6-5 triumph in extra innings. UW-W registered runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take Game 2 by a 2-1 score.
In the opener, first baseman Kaleigh O’Brien hit a game-tying single with one out to make it 5-5, and centerfielder Vera Pflugradt put UW-Whitewater ahead for good with an RBI single in the eighth.
Pitcher Marissa Adams retired eight straight batters over the final 2 2/3 innings to pick up the win, improving to 4-1 on the year. Kate Cleveland started and pitched one inning, and Mallory Hollatz took the middle 4 1/3 frames, pitching into the sixth inning.
Third baseman Meg Cohrs gave UW-W the lead with a double to right center in the top of the first before the Pioneers (15-15) took a 3-1 advantage in the bottom of the inning.
The Warhawks tallied three straight hits to start the top of the sixth, tying the game on a two-run triple to right by second baseman Delaney Becker and taking the lead on an RBI groundout by right fielder Taylor Briehl.
UW-Platteville took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth before UW-Whitewater fought back to tie the game and take the lead for good.
Pflugradt led the offense with three hits and one runs scored. Cohrs, O’Brien, designated player Kennedy Cox and catcher Nikki Mikosz each finished with two hits.
In the second game, neither team scored until the bottom of the fifth, when the Pioneers took a 1-0 advantage on a groundout.
Shortstop Meghan Dunning homered to lead off the top of the sixth and tie the game, and pitcher Annie Morelli left a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the frame to set up the Warhawks for another late rally.
Pflugradt recorded her second go-ahead hit of the day with an RBI triple to right center to score Briehl.
UW-Platteville put the leadoff hitter aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but Adams shut the door, stranding the tying run in scoring position for her third save of the season.
Morelli was credited with the victory, moving to 3-0 for the season. Starter Rhiann Dick struck out six batters over five innings of work.
O’Brien collected a team-high two hits, and Briehl reached base twice with two walks.
UW-Whitewater wraps up the regular season this Saturday with a pair of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games at UW-River Falls. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m. The Warhawks are one game out of first place in the conference standings heading into the weekend.
