The Falcon softball team swept UW-Whitewater in a series with first place in the WIAC on the line on Sunday afternoon at Ramer Field. With the wins the Falcons claim at least a share of the 2011 WIAC Championship.

The Falcons rallied from behind to win both games. UWRF took the first game, 8-7, and the second game, 5-4.UWW was ranked No. 7 in this week's NFCA Coaches Pol and entered the series 24-6.

UWRF is now in sole possession of first place in the WIAC with an 11-3 record with two games to play. On Tuesday the Falcons are scheduled to host UW-Oshkosh at Ramer Field with the first pitch thrown at 3:30 p.m.

This is the first WIAC title for the Falcons since 1994. The Falcons won back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994.

Coach Jody Gabriel won her 100th career game with the sweep. She is now 100-58 in her four-year career with the Falcons.

River Falls 8, Whitewater 7
UWW held a 7-1 lead in game one, but the Falcons scored seven times in the sixth inning to earn the win. UWRF scored its other run in the first. UWW scored single runs in the second and third innings, two in the fifth and three in the sixth to take the 7-1 lead.

The Falcons scored eight runs on 13 hits and made two errors. UWW scored seven runs on nine hits and made one error.

UWRF's lone run in the first cmae when Nicole Lubahn (Wanamingo, MN, Kenyon-Wanamingo) walked witih one out and scored when Hayley Buchanan (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie) doubled to left field.

The Falcons sent 11 batters to the plate in the big sixth inning. With one out, Patty Olson (Roseville, MN, Roseville) hit a line drive three-run homer to right center to make it a 7-4 game.It wsa her first homer of the season. Later Ashley Goettl (North Mankato, MN, West) delivered a RBI single to center ot score Lubahn. Amanda Ryder (Menomonie, WI, Menomonie) followed that with another single to center to score Buchanan to make it 7-6. Alyssa Black (Mankato, MN, West) hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Abby Spurley (Mineral Point, Iowa-Grant), who was pinch rinning for Goettl. That tied the game, 7-7. Sarah Bohlen (Rochester, MN, Mayo) then delivered a big pinch hit line drive single to center to keep the inning alive. Jessie Bester (Hampton, MN, Randolph) came up next and singled to left to score Ryder with what proved to be the game-winning run.

Falcon pitcher Rose Tusa (Roseville, MN, St. Anthony Village) retired Whitewater in order in the top of the seventh. Tiusa started for the Falcons and worked the first five innings. She allowed five hits and four runs, three were earned. She struck out 15 and walked three. Jamie Klein (Elk River, MN, Elk River) pitched the fifth inning and allowed four hits and three runs. She walked one. Klein picked up the pitching win and she is now 5-6. Tusa picked up her third save of the year.

Olson finished 2-4 with a run scored and three RBI. Buchanan was 2-2 with a run scored and one RBI. She had one double. Klein was 2-2 and Bester finished 2-3 with ibe RBI.

River Falls 5, Whitewater 4
In game two the Falcons trailed 4-1, but came back for the win.

UWRF scored single runs in the first and third innings and three in the fifth. UWRF scored five runs on eight hits and made one error.

UWW scored one in the second and three in the third. The Warhawks scored four runs on four hits and they made one error.

Tusa went the distance in the game on the mound and had another strong performance. She allowed four hits and four earned runs. She walked two and struck out seven and with the win improves to 13-6.

With two outs in the first, Buchanan reached on an infield single and she came home when Goettl doubled to left center. In the third with one out, Olson walked and was sacrificed to second by Lubhan. Buchanan doubled down the left field line to score Olson and that cut the UWW lead ot 3-2 at the time.

In the fifth Olson led off reaching first on an error. Lubahn put down a bunt that she beat out for a hit and Olson went to second. Buchanan kept the hot bat going with another double to left field and that scored Olson. With runners at second  and third, Goettl doubled to center to score Lubahn and Buchanan and Buchanan's run proved to be the game winner.

Buchanan was 3-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. She had two doubles and leads the Falcons with 11 this year. Goettl finished 2-3 with two RBI. She hit her eighth double of the season.