RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Macalester College on Saturday afternoon during its 2026 home opener, winning game one 8-0 before the Scots walked off with a 2-1 win in game two.
The Falcons, now 7-14 overall, were paced by solid defense and pitching performances from
Hailey Kincaid and
Brooklyn VanGruensven, who combined for just one earned run allowed on the day.
UW-River Falls 8, Macalester 0 (5 inn.)
The Falcons scored eight runs off eight hits in game one, while Kincaid allowed just two hits in the complete game victory in the pitcher's circle.
In the first inning, Caitlyn Kressel hit a solo homer which eventually stood as the game-winning RBI - her second of the season. UWRF followed with runs in each inning to cruise past the Scots.
A three-run third inning including a two-run single from Lacie Lilyquist and a Hannah Effertz sacrifice fly to put the Falcons up 5-0. Next inning, Addison Eaton added an RBI single and Kressel recorded her second RBI of the game to extend UWRF's lead to 7-0.
UWRF scored an unearned run in the eighth to seal the mercy-rule win.
Kressel and Dolan had two hits each.
Macaelester 2, UW-River Falls 1 (8 inn.)
Game two featured a pitcher's duel between Macalester's Martha Miller and VanGruensven, with both teams held to one run apiece, leading to extra innings.
UWRF took a 1-0 lead in the second after Dolan singled to score Lilyquist. The Scots' Alli Johnson homered in the fifth to tie the game at 1-1 before extra softball.
In the eighth, Macalester advanced a runner to third with a sacrifice bunt and scored her with a sacrifice fly, gaining a 2-1 lead. Miller and the Scots' defense then shut down the Falcons in the bottom half to earn the win while salvaging a doubleheader split.
Alexa Dusterhoft led the Falcons with two hits.
