MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The UW-River Falls softball team opened its 2024 season Friday afternoon with a pair of wins over Martin Luther College on the campus of Augsburg University.
The Falcons totaled 28 hits and 20 runs batted in through two games.
Kayla Dolan and
Jewel Waupekenay combined for 11 hits to lead the way, including six hits and five runs batted in from Waupekenay.
Defensively, UWRF limited the Knights to 10 total hits and two earned runs.
Maggie Wallin pitched a complete game shutout during the opener, allowing just two base hits with nine strikeouts.
UWRF, now 2-0 overall, returns to the Auggie Dome tomorrow morning for a doubleheader against Crown College.
UW-River Falls 8, Martin Luther 0 (6 inn.)
During the season opener, Wallin tossed a complete game shutout in the pitcher's circle while the Falcons plated eight with 12 hits.
UWRF led by three runs through three innings before a five-run outburst in the sixth to close out the game.
Johanna Breyen, Waupekenay,
Maddie Koch, Dolan, and
Tessa Peterson had two hits apiece, while Emily Corew, Waupekenay, and
Hannah Richards each batted two runs in.
An RBI single from Dolan scoring Koch in the second inning stood as the eventual game-winning run.
UW-River Falls 13, Martin Luther 4
In game two, the Falcons totaled 16 hits and scored runs in all but two innings.
Trailing 2-0 after two innings, the Falcons scored 13 runs in each of the final five innings, including seven in the sixth and seventh combined.
The Falcons got on the board in the third with a Waupekenay RBI single and tied the game in the fifth off another Waupekenay RBI single at 4-4.
Kelly Aultman followed with a two-run homer, and the Falcons didn't look back.
Waupekenay went 4-for-5 with three RBI, while Aultman also batted in three runs. Six Falcons had at least two hits.
Emily Crowe made the start in the pitcher's circle and went three innings, allowing two earned runs.
Brooklyn VanGruensven then made her collegiate debut and picked up the win, tossing two scoreless innings.
Lindsey Duggan followed with another pair of shutout innings.
