IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Ripon College softball opened Midwest Conference play in dominant fashion on Friday, sweeping Grinnell College in a doubleheader at Pearl Field while extending its winning streak to eight games.

The Red Hawks (15-5, 2-0 MWC) set the tone early in game one behind a stellar performance from freshman Peyton Vandeloo (Kaukauna, Wis., Freedom HS) in the circle. The freshman tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout, striking out seven and allowing just one walk in a 6-0 victory.

Offensively, Ripon broke through in the third inning when freshman Carli Moldenhauer (Oconomowoc, Wis., Oconomowoc HS) delivered an RBI double to score junior Nadiyah Huizar (Buena Park, Calif., Buena Park HS). Moldenhauer led the charge at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs, including a two-run single in the seventh to cap the scoring. The Red Hawks added three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by RBI efforts from Moldenhauer, freshman Callissa Keller (La Valle, Wis., Wonewoc-Center HS), and freshman Cyriana Reinwald (Horicon, Wis., Horicon HS) to pull away.

Ripon carried that momentum into game two, erupting for 13 hits in a 9-1 win.

The Red Hawks struck quickly, plating two runs in the first inning on a two-RBI double from freshman Desirae Kallstrom (DeForest, Wis., DeForest HS). Ripon continued to apply pressure throughout the game, scoring in five of the six innings played. A three-run fifth inning helped break the game open, with senior Arianna Alirez (Anchorage, Alaska, Alaska Middle College School) and freshman Sarah Marcheske (Waukesha, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS) each driving in runs, including a triple from Marcheske.

Senior Kayla Cruz (Anaheim, Calif., Anaheim HS) paced the offense in game two, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Kallstrom and Alirez combined for five RBIs. Marcheske added two hits and an RBI in the win.

Sophomore Alayna Sadowska (Oshkosh, Wis., Oshkosh West HS) earned the win in the circle, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings while walking none.

Ripon's balanced effort on both sides of the ball secured the sweep and a strong start to conference play.

The Red Hawks will look to keep their momentum going on Saturday, April 4, when they travel to Illinois College for a doubleheader beginning at 1pm in Jacksonville, Ill.