Warriors Run-Rule Monks For Spring Games Opener Split

LEESBURG, Fla. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College bounced back from an 11-0 five-inning loss to Rochester (N.Y.) with a 10-1 five-inning win over St. Joseph's (Maine) on Sunday in its first two Spring Games contests at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.

The Yellowjackets (3-3) scored a pair of first-inning runs on sacrifice flies for an early two-run lead. Following a scoreless second, UR plated eight runs on 10 hits to open up a double-digit advantage. Rochester tallied its final run of the game on a RBI double in the fourth. 

The Warriors (1-3) registered their first two hits of the game in the fifth on singles from juniors Jackey Farias (San Diego, Calif.) and Gwen Malecke (Gilberts, Ill.), but were unable to plate a run as the final score stood at 11-0.

Five straight players reached base for WLC in the top of the first inning of game two. Freshman Alea Anhalt (Fond du Lac, Wis.) drew a bases loaded walk and seniors Lexi Martin (Westfield, Ind.) and Ashley Corley (Plainfield, Ill.) scored on wild pitches for a 3-0 lead. Anhalt scored on a RBI groundout from freshman Sommer Krull (New London, Wis.) to cap off a four-run first-inning.

Anhalt doubled home Martin in the second inning for a 5-0 Wisconsin Lutheran lead. The Monks (1-1) plated their only run of the game in the second with three straight singles to start the frame. 

Back-to-back RBI singles from Corley and Anhalt in the third inning gave the Warriors a 7-1 cushion. Senior Maddy Chestolowski (Appleton, Wis.) scored on an error and sophomore Emily Cardenas (Lake Stevens, Wash.) crossed the plate on a bases loaded walk for an eight-run lead after four. Chestolowki scored on a bases loaded wild pitch in the top of the fifth to enact the run-rule after SJM was retired in order in its half of the fifth.

Cardenas and Martin had three hits and scored three runs each for WLC, while Anhalt drove in four runs. Corley and Chestolowki drew three walks apiece. Sophomore Emily Brands (Zeeland, Mich.) picked up her first win of the season in the circle, scattering four hits over 4.0 innings with one run allowed.

Wisconsin Lutheran faces North Park (0-0) and Northwestern-St. Paul (3-5) tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET and 1:45 p.m. ET at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.