NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The UW-River Falls softball team was victorious in both games of its doubleheader on the road against Carleton on Wednesday, April 9.
The Falcons held off a late comeback in game one and saw a gem in the pitcher's circle from Brooklyn VanGruensven in game two, winning the games 5-4 and 4-1. The doubleheader moved UWRF's record on the season to 15-9 overall.
UW-River Falls 5, Carleton 4
Two back-to-back two-run innings to start off game one saw the Falcons jump out to a 4-0 lead after two innings. Kelly Aultman hit a two-run home run to score Grace Gardner in the top of the first, before Gardner later scored two runners on a double in the second.
The Knights added a run in the bottom of the third to trim the lead to three, but UWRF got the run back in the top of the fifth with an RBI-double by Hannah Effertz.
Carleton cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth, doing so off an RBI-single. The Knights saw a late rally in the bottom of the seventh and added two runs, but Alexa Dusterhoft finished the complete game by forcing a pop out that secured a 5-4 victory for the Falcons.
In the pitcher's circle, Dusterhoft earned her second win of the season. She threw seven innings and allowed four runs off eight hits. At the plate, Gardner finished 2-4 with two RBIs and one run, while Autumn Hughes went 2-3 with one run. Aultman totaled two RBIs and one run.
UW-River Falls 4, Carleton 1
In game two, the Falcons once again struck early. UWRF scored three runs in the top of the second, as a wild pitch scored Natasha Burinda for the game's first run. On the next at bat, Dusterhoft doubled to score Abby Pitts. One at-bat later, the Falcons extended the lead to 3-0 as Dusterhoft scored on a passed ball.
The Falcons extended the lead to 4-0 in the top of the third, as a flyout by Pitts scored Gardner after she stole both second and third base.
The Knights put a run on the board in the bottom of the fourth off an error, but a strong performance in the pitcher's circle by Brooklyn VanGruensven ultimately guided UWRF to the victory. She pitched seven innings and allowed just one unearned run off four hits, striking out three batters. The Falcons kept the Knights off the board in the final three innings, winning 4-1.
At the plate, Aultman finished 2-3 and Pitts went 2-2 with one RBI and one run.
Next up, the Falcons will open WIAC play on the road at UW-Platteville on April 12 for a doubleheader. The games are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
