RIPON, Wisconsin – Finally playing at Tracy Field for the first time in 2024, the Ripon softball program's bats were silenced in a pair of losses to Illinois College on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Ripon dropped the opener 9-0 in five innings and the afternoon finale 6-0.
 
Illinois College (9-16, 4-0 MWC) wasted no time jumping ahead early in game one. After a hit batter, single and sacrifice bunt opened the game, a Ripon (2-14, 0-2 MWC) throwing error brought in the game's first run. IC added three more in the top of the second by a two-run triple and an RBI single, all with one out.
 
Another run for the Lady Blues scored in the top of the third on a two-out, RBI single. Keeping Ripon at bay offensively, Illinois College tacked on three more runs on three consecutive at-bats in the top of the fourth – an error, RBI double and RBI single brought the IC advantage to 8-0 through three and a half.
 
The final run of the game for IC occurred in the top of the fifth thanks to another two-out, RBI single.
 
Maddie Hablewitz singled to open the bottom of the fifth for Ripon's only hit, but the next three batters were retired to close the game.
 
On the mound, Kenzie Pahang took the loss. She threw all five innings, surrendering 11 hits and six earned runs while striking out two.
 
In the second game of the day, the teams were locked in a pitchers' duel from the start. Ripon starter Kalen Berger was terrific on the mound, allowing just two hits – both doubles – through the first five innings. However, the dam broke for IC in the sixth. With a runner on second and one out, an RBI double brought home the go-ahead run for the Lady Blues. The next at-bat, following a wild pitch, a sacrifice fly doubled the advantage, though Berger stranded a runner at first to end the inning soon after.
 
Four more runs crossed the plate for Illinois College in the top of the seventh, giving the Lady Blues some breathing room. With two outs, three consecutive at-bats brought home runs via an RBI double and a pair of run-scoring singles. To end the inning, another RBI single gave the Lady Blues a 6-0 lead heading into the last half inning.
 
There, Ripon was retired in order to end the game.
 
Kayla Cruz connected on a two-out double for Ripon in the bottom of the fourth, though that would be the Red Hawks' only hit of the game.
 
On the mound, Berger tossed all seven innings, allowing nine hits and six earned runs.
 
NEXT UP: Ripon visits Monmouth for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13 starting at 1 p.m.
 
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