Softball

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team scored in every inning but the first on Sunday to take the nightcap and split a Midwest Conference doubleheader with Illinois College.

Illinois College won the opener 8-0 in five innings, and Lawrence took the second game 6-3 in games played at Carthage College due to rain in southern Illinois. The split clinched a berth in the Midwest Conference Tournament for Illinois College (21-15, 13-7 MWC) and eliminated the Vikings (18-14-1, 11-8) from tourney contention.

In the nightcap, Lawrence starter Jessica Demski held the Lady Blues scoreless on five hits over six innings to get the win. Maddie MacLean got the final two outs for her third save of the season and went 2-for-3 and drove in a run.

After the opening inning, Lawrence scored a single run in every frame. MacLean had a run-scoring single in the second to put Lawrence on top, and the Vikings sandwiched unearned runs in the third and fifth around Demski’s squeeze bunt in the fourth that scored Kori Looker.

The Vikings made it 5-0 on Tierney Duffy’s RBI single in the sixth, and Anna Wawiorka stole home as part of a double steal for a 6-0 lead in the seventh.

The Lady Blues collected four hits off Demski in the seventh to cut the lead to 6-2. MacLean came in with one out and gave up a sacrifice fly before recording a ground out to pick up the save.

In the opener, Amanda Price allowed only two hits over five innings to record the shutout for Illinois College. MacLean allowed nine hits and eight runs to take the loss.

Illinois College led 3-0 before scoring five times in the third to pull away.

Game one box score

Game two box score

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lake Forest College softball team used great pitching and a powerful offense Saturday to take both games of a Midwest Conference doubleheader from Lawrence University at Whiting Field.

The Foresters won the opener 6-0 and took the nightcap 10-1 in six innings.

In the first game, Jessi Werner pitched Lake Forest (22-11, 16-2 MWC) to the victory. She allowed five hits, struck out two and walked one. Jessica Demski went the distance and took the loss for Lawrence (17-13-1, 10-7).

Lake Forest took control of the game early with a pair of runs in the first and two more in the second. Kaleigh Ambrose and Kat Beall both had two hits for Lake Forest, and Ambrose drove in three runs.

In the second game, Lake Forest broke open a close game with three runs in the fifth and then scored four times in the sixth. Maria Zepeda went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and drove in four for the Foresters.

Jenny McTague went the distance, allowed seven hits, struck out five and walked two, to pick up the win. Maddie MacLean went the distance and took the loss.

Savanna Marsicek and Taylor Dodson both went 2-for-3 to pace the Vikings.

Game one box score

Game two box score

RIPON, Wis. — Maddie MacLean belted a solo homer Wednesday and went the distance in the circle to lead the Lawrence University softball team to a 5-3 Midwest Conference win over Ripon College.

The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was halted in the 12th inning due to darkness with the score tied 1-1. That game will not be resumed and will be recorded as a tie.

MacLean allowed nine hits, struck out three and walked two to improve to 10-6 on the season. She went 2-for-3 and smacked a homer in the fifth inning.

Anna Wawiorka went 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs the Vikings (17-11-2, 10-5-1 MWC). Tierney Duffy was 2-for-4, swiped a pair of bases and scored a run for Lawrence.

Lexi Reetz allowed seven hits and took the loss for Ripon (2-29, 2-13).

Lawrence scored once in the first on Katie Schumacher’s bases-loaded walk, and led 3-1 after two innings with the help of Wawiorka’s run-scoring single in the second.

Ripon cut the lead to 3-2 after three innings, but the Vikings picked up single runs in the fourth and fifth. In the fourth, Duffy singled and scored on Wawiorka’s RBI triple. MacLean then hit a one-out solo homer in the fifth for a 5-2 lead.

Ripon picked up a run in the sixth, but MacLean worked a 1-2-3 seventh to seal the win.

In the second game, Ripon scored one run in the third and Lawrence got one in the sixth to tie it.

Reetz went the distance for Ripon before the game was called due to darkness. She allowed five hits, struck out 12 and walked five. Jessica Demski made the start and went 5.2 innings for Lawrence. MacLean tossed 5.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Savanna Marsicek collected a pair of hits for the Vikings.

Game one box score

Game two box score

WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team couldn’t generate enough offense Sunday and dropped both games of a Midwest Conference doubleheader to Carroll University at Kilgour Field.

Carroll won the opener 8-1 and took the second game 6-3.

In the first game, Carroll pitcher Shelby Sommer limited Lawrence (16-11-1, 9-5 MWC) to just five hits while striking out five and walking four.

Lawrence starter Maddie MacLean allowed 14 hits and eight runs while striking out two and walking one.

Kelly Sykes collected a pair of doubles and drove in two runs to pace the Pioneers (20-12, 11-5). Taylor Dodson went 2-for-3 with a double for Lawrence.

Lawrence tied the opening game at 1-1 when Jessica Demski walked and pinch-runner Rachel Urich came around to score on a bases-loaded walk to Tierney Duffy. The Vikings left the bases loaded as Sommer got a strikeout and lineout to avoid any more damage.

Carroll then scored twice in the bottom of the fifth and added five more runs in the sixth to seal the victory.

In the second game, Carroll led 5-1 after two innings and hung on for the win. Hannah Miller went the distance, allowed seven hits, struck out three and walked two to pick up the win. Demski allowed eight hits over six innings and took the loss.

Megan Kohlmetz had two hits and Micah Clutter drove in three runs for Carroll. Savanna Marsicek went 3-for-4, and MacLean went 2-for-3 with a homer and drove in two runs for the Vikings.

Carroll led 5-1 when the Vikings got a run in the third on MacLean’s RBI single. The Pioneers stretched the lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth, but MacLean led off the seventh with her second homer of the season to cut the margin to 6-3.

A walk and a single put the tying run at the plate with one out in the seventh, but Miller got a popup and flyout to end the game.

Game one box score

Game two box score

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Lawrence University softball team rolled to a Midwest Conference doubleheader sweep of Knox College on Saturday.

Lawrence won the opener 13-3 and took the nightcap 18-5 with both games ending after five innings.

In the first game, Kori Looker went 3-for-4 with a double and a three-run homer and finished with six runs batted in for Lawrence (16-9-1, 9-3 MWC).

Lawrence’s Tierney Duffy went 3-for-4, and Anna Wawiorka, Katie Schumacher and Maddie MacLean all had two hits. Rookie Sofie Pedersen drove in a pair of runs for the Vikings.

MacLean also picked up the win for the Vikings. She allowed five hits, struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.

Lawrence trailed 2-1 after two innings, but the Vikings struck for four runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Looker’s three-run blasted highlighted the four-run fourth.

In the nightcap, Schumacher blasted a pair of homers on her way to going 3-for-4 with five RBIs. It was the second multi-homer game of the season for Schumacher.

Wawiorka went 4-for-4 with a triple, and Duffy was 3-for-4. MacLean, Looker and Taylor Dodson had two hits apiece, and Looker and Savanna Marsicek both drove in three runs.

Jessica Demski allowed 10 hits over five innings to pick up the win.

Lawrence jumped on Knox (0-26, 0-10) with four runs in the top of the first as Schumacher belted a two-run homer. The Vikings took a 9-3 lead with five more runs in the second as Looker picked up a two-run double.

The Vikings sealed the win with eight runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run blast by Schumacher.

Game one box score

Game two box score

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team took a pair of tight games from Beloit College on Wednesday in a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Whiting Field.

Lawrence won the opener 6-4 and then rallied for a 6-5 victory in the nightcap.

In the opener, Meg Krautsch and Kori Looker had two hits apiece for Lawrence (14-9-1, 7-3 MWC) and both drove in a pair of runs. Rookie Sofie Pedersen also hit her first career homer for the Vikings.

Maddie MacLean went the distance, allowing 11 hits while striking out two and walking one, to get the win for Lawrence. Mikayla Martin took the loss for Beloit (4-22, 0-10).

Lawrence led 2-1 as Katie Schumacher picked up a run-scoring double and Krautsch had an RBI single in the second and third innings, respectively.

Lawrence pulled away with four runs in the fifth as Pedersen led off the frame with her first homer. Anna Wawiorka kept the rally going with a double, and Krautsch followed with a run-scoring single to put the Vikings up 4-1. Looker then delivered a two-run single for a 6-1 lead.

Beloit came back to score three times in the sixth to trim the margin to 6-4, and the Bucs had the tying runs on base with one out in the seventh. MacLean then got a foul out and a fly out to preserve the win.

In the nightcap, Lawrence trailed 3-1 before rallying in the bottom of the fifth. Krautsch led off the inning with a double and Taylor Dodson followed with a single. Looker and Schumacher followed with run-scoring singles to tie the game.

The Vikings took the lead in a three-run sixth that started with Tierney Duffy’s triple. Wawiorka followed with a run-scoring single to put Lawrence up 4-3. Wawiorka scored on a wild pitch, and Dodson delivered a run-scoring single and Lawrence led 6-3.

The Bucs rallied for two runs in the seventh against Lawrence starter Jessica Demski, but MacLean came on to retire pinch-hitter Alex Kohn on a ground out for the final out with the tying run in scoring position.

Demski picked up the win, and MacLean notched her second save of the season. Alyssa Boltik gave up 12 hits and all six runs over 5.1 innings and took the loss.

Marsicek, Dodson and Duffy all collected two hits in the nightcap for the Vikings.

Game one box score

Game two box score

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team traded shutouts on Sunday with Grinnell College in a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Whiting Field.

Lawrence won the opener 2-0, and Grinnell took the nightcap 2-0.

In the first game, Maddie MacLean tossed a five-hit shutout for the Vikings (12-9-1, 5-3 MWC), striking out two and walking one.

Meg Krautsch went 3-for-3 and drove in both runs for Lawrence. Tierney Duffy singled and walked and scored both runs for the Vikings.

Duffy started the third inning with a walk and stole second. After a couple of fly outs, Krautsch doubled to score Duffy and give Lawrence a 1-0 lead.

The Vikings made it 2-0 in the fifth and Duffy started the rally with a single. After a couple of sacrifice bunts and an error, Krautsch singled to score Duffy.

Grinnell (15-12, 7-5) loaded the bases in the seventh on a pair of singles and a walk, but MacLean got Ashley Wehrenberg to ground out to end the game.

In the nightcap, Maggie Remus allowed just six hits, struck out two and walked two to record the shutout for Grinnell.

The Pioneers scored single runs in the first and seventh to hand Jessica Demski a tough loss. Demski also allowed only six hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter.

The Vikings stranded eight runners in the nightcap, including two in the first and second, and had a runner thrown out at the plate.

Game one box score

Game two box score

APPLETON, Wis. — Katie Schumacher’s three-run homer capped a five-run fifth inning in the nightcap Saturday to lift the Lawrence University softball team to a Midwest Conference doubleheader split with Cornell College at Whiting Field.

Lawrence won the second game 5-4, and Cornell got a one-hit shutout to win the opener 3-0.

In the second game, the Vikings trailed 2-0 when they struck for five runs in the fifth inning. An error and Savanna Marsicek’s double put two runners aboard, and Lawrence (11-8-1, 4-2 MWC) tied the game with a run-scoring ground out and RBI single from Taylor Dodson.

After Kori Looker was hit by a pitch, Schumacher launched her third homer in as many games to give the Vikings a 5-2 lead. Schumacher finished 2-for-2 in the nightcap and drove in three, and Marsicek was 2-for-3.

Two doubles and an error in the sixth helped Cornell (13-13, 6-4) cut the lead to 5-4. Maddie MacLean came on in relief for the Vikings and got the final two outs of the sixth and worked around a single in the seventh to record her first career save.

Jessica Demski allowed seven hits over 5.1 innings to get the win and improve to 5-3 on the season. Jesse Applehans worked 4.2 innings and took the loss for the Rams.

In the opener, Haley Harmon tossed a one-hitter to lead the Rams to the victory. She struck out 11 and walked three. She took a no-hitter into the sixth before it was broken up by Anna Wawiorka’s two-out single.

Applehans, Melissa Orton, Kendra Christensen and Melissa Griffin all had two hits in the opener for Cornell.

Game one box score

Game two box score

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team won a thriller over St. Norbert College in the opener Thursday and then blew out the Green Knights in the nightcap of a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Whiting Field.

Lawrence took the opener 2-1 in eight innings, and the Vikings rolled to an 11-2 victory in five innings in the second game.

Katie Schumacher drove in the tying run in the bottom of the seventh in the opener and then hit a grand slam and a solo homer in the nightcap for Lawrence (10-7-1, 3-1 MWC). It was the first grand slam and the first multi-homer game of Schumacher’s career.

In the opener, St. Norbert’s Emily Laufer hit a solo homer in the top of the seventh to give the Green Knights (1-15, 1-7) a 1-0 lead. A one-out walk by Taylor Dodson got the Lawrence rally started in the bottom half of the inning, and Schumacher smacked a two-out single to right to score pinch-runner Marisa Thackston to tie the game.

Anna Wawiorka’s one-out hustle double put the Vikings in business in the bottom of the eighth, and Meg Krautsch laced a two-out single to center to score Wawiorka for the walk-off win. Wawiorka went 3-for-4 in the opener for the Vikings.

Maddie MacLean went the distance for Lawrence and allowed five hits while striking out one and walking none. Lexi LeCalsey went the distance and took the loss for St. Norbert.

In the nightcap, St. Norbert jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Ashley Schuettpelz’s two-run homer in the top of the first.

The lead didn’t last long as the Vikings loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the inning. Schumacher then blasted a grand slam to put the Vikings up 4-2.

The Vikings added three more runs in the second with the help of two errors. Wawiorka stole home in the inning, and Dodson added a run-scoring single to give the Vikings a 7-2 edge.

Lawrence added another unearned run in the third after Savanna Marsicek smacked a run-scoring single.

Schumacher then started a three-run rally in the fourth with a lead-off homer, and Krautsch and Marsicek added run-scoring singles to give Lawrence an 11-2 edge.

Schumacher went 2-for-3, drove in five and scored twice for Lawrence. Marsicek and Krautsch had two hits apiece as the Vikings finished with 11 hits in the nightcap.

Jessica Demski allowed six hits over five innings to pick up the win for Lawrence. Francesca Marrese pitched 1.1 innings and took the loss.

Game one box score

Game two box score

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University’s Meg Krautsch was red-hot at the plate this past week and was named the Midwest Conference Player of the Week.

Krautsch (Oshkosh, Wis./West), a sophomore shortstop, batted .625 for the week and drove in 12 runs in just four games as the Vikings posted a 3-1 record.

Krautsch went 10-for-16 with two doubles and a triple as Lawrence swept a nonconference doubleheader at Rockford University and split a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Monmouth College.

Krautsch drove in five runs in one game against Rockford and picked up four hits in the other as the Vikings won 10-3 and 12-3. She also collected three hits and drove in three runs in one game against Monmouth. The Vikings downed Monmouth 7-3 in the opener before the Scots won 12-6 in the nightcap.

Krautsch, who was named the MWC Player of the Week for the second time this season, is now batting .407 on the season with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Lawrence returns to action on Wednesday when the Vikings host St. Norbert College.