RHINELANDER, Wis. - Playing their first games in nearly one full calendar year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ripon's softball team lost to both Wisconsin Lutheran and Concordia (Wis.) on Saturday afternoon. The Red Hawks scored the first run of the day in their opening inning, before losing to Wisconsin Lutheran 11-1. Ripon would also drop the nightcap 10-0 to Concordia (Wis.).

Ripon (0-2) wasted no time getting their offense going, as senior Micaela Encarnacion led off the game with a single. She would later score to give the Red Hawks the first lead of the game on a two-out double by Riley Breider. 

That lead would stand until the third inning, when WLC (1-0) scored all 11 of their runs. That inning featured eight hits, one error, and three runners left on base.

Ripon finished the game with six hits with Breider's 2-for-2 day leading the way. Claire Luebke started in the circle and pitched well, allowing just one hit in two scoreless innings. Magaret Herrin also had a hitless inning of relief.

The day's second game was all Concordia (Wis.) from the opening pitch. The Falcons (2-0) scored at least one run in all but one inning, while Nicki Becker (1-0) tossed a no-hitter.

Concordia (Wis.) bookended their runs with a three-run home run in the first inning, and a solo homer in the final frame.

Ripon will try to rebound on Friday when they'll battle Northland College in a doubleheader, beginning at 6 p.m. Those games will take place in Northfield, Minn.