RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls softball team went 1-1 in its doubleheader against UW-Stevens Point at Perkins Stadium on Sunday, April 27.
Both games were low-scoring and pitcher-oriented, but a huge home run by Kelly Aultman in the bottom of the sixth gave the Falcons a 3-1 victory in game two. The Pointers won a narrow 1-0 game in the first matchup of the day. The doubleheader moved UWRF's record to 18-16 on the year and 3-7 in WIAC play.
UW-Stevens Point 1, UW-River Falls 0
The first game of the doubleheader was a low-scoring pitcher's duel, as both teams combined for just two hits each.
The Pointers earned both of their base hits in the first inning, as the Falcons' pitching staff held the visitors without any hits for the remaining six innings. However, UW-Stevens Point drew a total of 12 walks, one of which would ultimately prove to be the winning run.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Pointers drew a walk in the first at-bat, before the Falcons forced two straight outs. Stevens Point then drew three consecutive walks, as Trinity Otto scored to put UW-River Falls behind 1-0.
Caitlyn Kressel hit a double in the bottom of the fourth, which eventually went on to be the final hit of the game for either team. Kressel finished 2-2 on the day, also hitting a single in the first inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Falcons drew a walk and pushed the runner over to second base with a steal by Autumn Hughes, but UWRF was unable to make up any further ground and fell 1-0.
Alexa Dusterhoft started in the pitcher's circle and threw two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three batters. Lindsey Duggan pitched 1.2 innings and allowed one earned run, striking out two. Brooklyn VanGruensven pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief.
UW-River Falls 3, UW-Stevens Point 1
The second game followed a similar trend as the first, as both teams remained scoreless through the first five innings. Kayla Dolan singled in the bottom of the second inning, but that proved to be UWRF's only hit until the eventual deciding runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The Pointers tallied singles in each of the fourth and fifth innings, as well as a double in the top of the sixth— the Falcons got out of the jam with three straight defensive plays at third base by Kelly Aultman.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Falcons started off the inning with a single by Emily Crowe, who was moved over to second with a sacrifice bunt. After Kressel was intentionally walked on the following at-bat, Aultman crushed a home run past the left field wall, giving UWRF a definitive 3-0 lead.
The Pointers got on the board in the top of the seventh after two errors, but the Falcons forced a ground out with the tying run at the plate, securing the 3-1 victory.
Starting pitcher Alexa Dusterhoft pitched a complete game and picked up her third win of the season. She allowed just three hits and one unearned run, while striking out two batters. Aultman led the way at the plate with three RBIs and one run — her home run was the WIAC-leading ninth home run of the season for the senior.
Next up, UWRF will host Bethel for a doubleheader on April 29 at Faye Perkins Softball Stadium. The games are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
