La Crosse, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) – In a tough road environment, the UW-River Falls softball team was swept by UW-La Crosse by scores of 5-1 and 3-2 on Sunday afternoon. The Falcons were in the lead or tied in both games, but could not quite get a win over the talented UW-La Crosse squad.
THE RUNDOWN GAME 1
Final Score: UW-River Falls 1, UW-La Crosse 5
Location: North Campus Field, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Records: UWRF 11-19 (3-6 WIAC), UW-La Crosse 24-11 (8-3 WIAC)
WHAT HAPPENED
- The Falcons took the early lead in the top of the first, but five unanswered runs by the Eagles and just four hits by the Falcons in the last six innings led to a 5-1 victory for the host team.
- The game began with Lexi Dupee crushing a double to left center. She eventually crossed home plate on a fielding error by the Eagles shortstop giving the Falcons an early lead.
- UW-La Crosse immedietly tied the game up with a little small ball in the bottom of the first.
- After a walk to start the inning, the Eagles laid down a sacrifice. Then two batters later, the Eagles hit a double bringing home the run from second, tying the game at one.
- The Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the third. Seven batters came to the plate, and the score ended up at 3-1 in favor of UW-La Crosse.
- The Falcons struggled to get going offensively after their solid start. They could not put together multiple hits in the same inning and did not score another run in the final six innings.
- The Eagles tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth and sixth inning to take the first game 5-1.
THE RUNDOWN GAME 2
Final Score: UW-River Falls 2, UW-La Crosse 3
Location: North Campus Field, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Records: UWRF 11-20 (3-7 WIAC), UW-La Crosse 25-11 (9-3 WIAC)
WHAT HAPPENED
- UW-La Crosse took the early lead in game two, but a solid third inning by UWRF had the game tied. Neither team could take back the lead in the next three innings, but the Eagles mustered up the final run in the bottom of the seventh and walked off winners.
- In the bottom of the first it was a walk to begin the inning that eventually put the Eagles up 1-0. The run came in on a double to left center by Stephanie Cole.
- UWRF only had one hit in the first two innings, and La Crosse took advantage with another run in the second.
- After a single to start the inning, Brooke Baldwin pinch ran. She scored on a wild play to end the inning. A single by Sydney Murphy sent Baldwin home, then Murphy was called out for out number three at second base. UW-La Crosse then led 2-0.
- With two quick outs in the next inning, the Falcons were backed against the wall. Lexi Dupee was walked, and the rally was on.
- Aiyana Ledwein stepped up next and sent a bomb to right center that fell for a double, scoring Dupee.
- Ali Krohn was next, and she singled straight up the middle, and scored the speedy Ledwein from second, tying the game 2-2.
- Neither team put together multiple hits the remainder of the game. The Eagles had a runner on third in the bottom of the fifth, but could not score. UWRF had multiple runners on second, but couldn't get anyone across home plate.
- The Eagles were able to walk off in the bottom of the seventh after a leadoff double eventually crossed home on an error.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Falcons will have a few days off before they host their final home games next weekend. The first doubleheader will be against UW-Oshkosh on April 29 with the first pitch set for 2:30 p.m. Then UWRF will host UW-Whitewater on April 30 at 12 p.m. on Senior Day.
