WLC Concludes Non-Conference Slate Against Chicago

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College concluded its non-conference schedule on Wednesday with a doubleheader sweep to Chicago at Neumann Family Field. The Maroons defeated the Warriors by scores of 8-3 and 6-5.

UC (21-8-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one with three straight extra-base hits. WLC (9-21) responded with a run on two hits in the bottom half of the inning, including a RBI single from sophomore Gwen Malecke (Gilberts, Ill.). 

The score stood 2-1 until the fourth inning when Chicago collected three straight run-scoring hits for a four-run frame. The Maroons added a two-out run in the fifth for a 7-1 advantage. 

Junior Ashley Corley's (Plainfield, Ill.) pinch hit two-RBI single with two outs in the sixth inning brought Wisconsin Lutheran within 7-3. UC plated its final run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly for the 8-3 final score.

Freshman Emily Cardenas (Lake Stevens, Wash.) went 3-for-3 with two runs scored for the Warriors. Malecke added two hits and a RBI.

Sophomore Makayla Huff (Galesburg, Ill.) put WLC ahead 1-0 in the first inning of the nightcap with a RBI single that scored Cardenas. Junior Briana Vilches (Fontana, Calif.) made it 2-0 in the second when she scored after Cardenas reached on a fielding error.

Chicago scratched across three runs in the third inning on three hits and a throwing error to take a one-run lead. The Maroons followed with two more runs in the fourth on a two-run fielding error for a 5-2 lead. 

Cardenas collected a two-out RBI single in the fourth that plated freshman Juliana Sieber (Oconto, Wis.). In the fifth inning, Martin crossed the plate on a fielder's choice from Vilches to bring Wisconsin Lutheran within a run.

UC added a crucial insurance run in the seventh on a RBI groundout for a two-run lead. Martin leadoff the seventh inning with a solo home run, her sixth long ball of the season. Huff followed with a single, but was left stranded at first after three straight strikeouts ended the game.

Huff finished 3-for-4 with a RBI for the Warriors, while Cardenas, Martin, and Vilches added two hits each. Freshman Emily Brands (Zeeland, Mich.) pitched a pair of scoreless relief innings with two strikeouts.

WLC travels to Fond du Lac on Friday for a 3 p.m. NACC doubleheader against Marian (13-15, 8-8 NACC). Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.