WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Ripon softball team closed out a week-long trip to Florida on Friday evening, falling 5-2 against Hood College in the opener before being tripped up 4-3 against Chicago in the finale. The Red Hawks went 4-6 in the Sunshine State, with leadoff hitter Mikaela Lawrence closing out the week with a five-game hitting streak.
 
Friday's opener saw Ripon scratch across two runs in the first inning, only to see Hood respond with three in the home half and two more in the following frame. Lawrence picked up two hits to lead the Red Hawk offense, while Abby Gilbertson was credited with the team's lone RBI.
 
Chicago struck first in the nightcap, plating two runs in the opening frame and pushing the lead to 3-0 in the top of the third. An error with the bases loaded helped in the bottom half helped Ripon score its first run of the game, but the Maroons would again make it a three-run game in the sixth.
 
The Red Hawks refused to go quietly in their half of the sixth, though, as Lawrence' leadoff single was followed by another Maroon error to bring the tying run to the plate. Gilbertson singled to plate Lawrence from second, and Anna Bauer followed with a sac fly to bring in Brennah Bronk.
 
Chicago picked up the next two outs without further threat, and the two teams exchanged zeroes in the seventh, allowing the Maroons to hold on for the 4-3 win. Gilbertson paced the Red Hawks with a pair of base hits, while Bronk took the loss in the circle despite a strong effort.
 
Ripon returns to action on Friday, March 24, when they take on Concordia in doubleheader action. First pitch from Mequon is slated for 2:00 p.m.