JACKSONVILLE, Illinois – The Ripon softball program split a doubleheader at Illinois College on Sunday afternoon, starting Midwest Conference play 3-1 for the first time in 13 years.
The Red Hawks dropped game one 8-0 in five innings before rebounding to post a 3-2 win over the Lady Blues in the afternoon finale at Kamp Softball Field.
After a scoreless first inning in game one, Illinois College (10-12, 1-1 MWC) scored once in the second on an RBI single. Three more runs scored in the third for the Lady Blues, while Ripon (5-15, 3-1 MWC) recorded its first hit in the fourth. The Red Hawks had runners at second and third with one out in the inning, but consecutive strikeouts ended the threat.
IC had a big fourth inning, plating four more runs on an RBI triple, a sacrifice fly and a two-run single. Ripon put a runner on third in the fifth, but a flyout ended the game.
The Red Hawks had just three hits in game one, as
Karissa Jenz,
Jayden Markus and
Maddie Heisler all recorded base knocks. On the mound,
Ashlynn Donahue got the start and the loss. She went three innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs.
Brooklyn Cooper pitched an inning in relief, allowing two runs.
Ripon came out strong in game two, scoring a pair of runs in the opening half inning. After
Ashlyn Schultz and
Maddie Hablewitz singled to open the game,
Arianna Alirez and Markus each recorded run-scoring singles to give Ripon the early lead. IC got a run back in the bottom of the first, but Ripon pitcher
Alayna Sadowska stranded two runners in scoring position to preserve the lead.
The Lady Blues evened the score in the third, but Sadowska minimized the damage after the bases were loaded with nobody out. The score remained 2-2 until the sixth, when Ripon pulled in front for good. Jenz started the inning with a single, and Alirez moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt. Then, with two outs, Sadowska helped her own cause by recording the go-ahead single.
Illinois College threatened in the bottom half – putting a runner at second with one out – but the Lady Blues ran into an out on the bases and struck out to end the rally. Ripon also weathered an attack from the opposition in the bottom of the seventh, as IC put the tying run on base. However, Sadowska retired the final two batters of the game to preserve the Ripon win.
Holding a 9-7 advantage in hits, Ripon was led by Alirez (2x2, RBI) who had a perfect day at the plate. Schultz (2x3, run) contributed a multi-hit games as well, while
Hadley Berensen, Hablewitz, Jenz, Markus and Sadowska also recorded base hits.
Sadowska picked up her second win in the circle in as many days, tossing her second consecutive complete game. She scattered seven hits and two earned runs, striking out seven.
NEXT UP: Ripon visits Maranatha Baptist on Thursday (April 10) for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
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