It had been 715 days since the Falcons softball team last got to play at the friendly confines of Faye Perkins Softball Stadium, but that changed on Thursday as they host the Blue Devils of UW-Stout. The wait for a home game, while long, was worth it as the Falcons swept the Blue Devils in the doubleheader.
Game 1
UW-S started the game off hot in the top of the 1st, getting two quick scores across the plate. The Falcons didn't waste much time getting back into it though as they started rolling in the 2nd.
Lindsey Strom got things going for the Falcons with a single, then senior Allison Kondzela did as well. Megan Halvorson kept things going with a single of her own, loading the bases with no outs.
After a quick out on a line drive, the Blue Devils couldn't keep Johanna Breyen from singling to right field, advancing the runners and bringing Strom home to get the Falcons on the board. Following that, senior Rebecca Daley was walked and brought Kondela home, then Tayler Fall flied out the center field but picked up the RBI bringing Halvorson home to put UW-RF up 3-2.
The Falcons held off the Blue Devils until the top of the 5th when they were able to sneak in the tying run. Not satisfied with the tie, the Falcons got their offense going once again in the bottom of the 6th.
Chapin Rappaport singled and then stole second. Strom once again had a single, this time down the third base line, advancing Rappaport to third. Kondzela was walked, then sophomore Sammie Harms singled to the shortstop and picked up an RBI, bringing Rappaport in to score.
Breyen then singled to bring Bailee Aisenbrey, who had come in as a pinch runner for Strom, in to score putting the Falcons up 5-3, a lead that would hold until the end.
Julianna Reynolds picked up her 4th win of the year in the circle, recording nine strikeouts as she brought her season record to 4-3.
Game 2
After a quick break between games, the Falcons found themselves with a chance to score first in the bottom of the 3rd.
Sophomore Megan Halvorson had a booming double to right center to get things going. After advancing on a sacrifice bunt, Halvorson scored after Johanna Breyen singled to right field to bring her in.
The Blue Devils answered back in the top of the 4th to tie the game 1-1. Stout then stayed hot going into the top of the 5th punching two more runs across the plate to bring the score to 3-1.
Despite the deficit, the Falcons were not going with out a fight.
Harms got the bottom of the 5th rolling for the Falcons, hitting a double to left center. Bri Daechsel grounded out to the 3rd baseman but moved Harms to third. Tayler Falls then singled to right field to send Harms home and cut the lead to one.
In the bottom of the 6th, Halvorson walked, then Harms was able to single to center field to advance her to second. Bryen then put down a SAC bunt to advance both Halvorson and Harms. Up next, Daley smacked one to left field to bring home the tying run.
Going into the bottom of the 7th, the Falcons had a chance to win and weren't going to let the opportunity pass.
Fall was able to single to center field, then freshman Keegan Piton singled as well, advancing Fall to third.
With two on and none out, Chappin Rappaport wasted no time finishing things off, roping the walk off single to left field to bring Fall in for the winning run for a final of 4-3.
The Falcons move to 7-7 on the season after the sweep and 3-3 in the WIAC. Their next game will be Friday, April 16th at home when they take on UW-Platteville.
