Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Lutheran College softball team picked up a pair of key conference wins on Friday, defeating MSOE, 1-0 and 9-6, at MSOE Athletic Field.
Game one featured a pitcher's dual between starters Kendra Thomas (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) and the Raiders' Kate Klaubauf.
After a scoreless first five frames, WLC finally got the first run of the game across in the sixth inning. Jinny Curtis (Muskego, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) grounded out to bring home Mindy Schalinske (Burlington, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) and give the Warriors the game's deciding run.
That run was more than enough for Thomas, who dazzled in the pitcher's circle. Throwing all 7.0 innings, Thomas allowed just one hit with three strikeouts and no walks. Curtis finished without a hit, but drove in the game's lone run. Abby Wichgers (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Klaubauf took the loss, letting in one earned runs on six hits in 7.0 innings. She also recorded MSOE's only hit of the game.
In game two, MSOE struck first, going up 1-0 after one inning. The Warriors responded in the top of the first when Jenny Rechlicz (West Allis, Wis./Nathan Hale) came home on an error. MSOE answered in the bottom of the second with three more runs to take a 4-1 lead.
WLC got one run back in the third, with Rechlicz plating Tara Degl'Innocenti (Lisle, Ill./Naperville North) on a single. MSOE continued to trade runs in the bottom half of the inning, pushing two more runs across for a 6-2 advantage.
The Warriors' bats really came alive in the fourth, scoring six times. Lauren Mantz (West Bend, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) drove in two with a single, and Curtis had a bases-clearing single to send home three more.
The offenses slowed down until the sixth, when WLC plated one more run across to put the score at 9-6.
Libby Larsen (Menasha, Wis./Menasha) picked up the win, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings of perfect relief. Curtis finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, while Mantz was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Klaubauf suffered another loss, allowing three earned runs in 4.0 innings. Kathryn Ready went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run for MSOE (4-26, 4-20 NAC).
With the sweep, WLC moves into a tie for fifth place in the Northern Athletics Conference with four league games remaining.
The Warriors (17-13, 11-9 NAC) take a break from NAC play tomorrow with their final home doubleheader against non-conference opponent Cardinal Stritch University (19-30). First pitch of game one from Warrior Field is scheduled for 10 a.m.
