RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's softball team held Illinois College's offense in check for much of Sunday's doubleheader, allowing just two earned runs in the two games combined. Unfortunately, the Red Hawks offense was also held in check, as Illinois College earned a pair of shutout victories, winning the first game 1-0 in 11 innings, before defeating Ripon 4-0 in game two.

The day's first game saw the two teams locked in a pitcher's duel, with 10 hits between them in the 11-inning affair. Illinois College (11-7, 5-1 MWC) finally broke a scoreless tie in the top of the 11th, scoring on an RBI single by Frankie Sikora. The Lady Blues then sent Ripon (6-14, 2-4 MWC) down in order to secure the victory.

Two of Ripon's four hits came off the bat of Stephanie Cartwright. In the circle, Lexi Reetz (4-8) was dominant once again, allowing one run on six hits and tying a career-high with 12 strikeouts, as she pitched all 11 innings.

The day's second game began with two more scoreless innings before Illinois College broke the scoreless tie, scoring a run in the third on a Ripon fielding error. The Lady Blues added another run in the fifth on an RBI triple, before adding two more runs on a two-out single in the top of the seventh.

Ripon finished the second game with six hits, with two apiece coming from Cartwright and Jessica Kobelt. Kobelt (2-5) also pitched all seven innings, allowing just one earned run in the game.

The Red Hawks will try to get back on the winning track Wednesday at Lawrence University. That doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m. in Appleton, Wis.