RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls softball team split a WIAC doubleheader against UW-La Crosse Wednesday afternoon at Faye Perkins Stadium, falling 0-4 in game one but bounced back with an emphatic 8-0, five-inning victory in game two. This afternoon also served as the Falcons' Autism Awareness Game, highlighted by members of the BRIDGE Program in attendance and Chancellor John Chenoweth throwing out the first pitch.
In the opener, the Falcons were limited offensively despite five hits, falling 0-4.
Autumn Hughes and
Leah Oistad each recorded two-hit efforts. UWRF threatened early and late but could not break through against UW-La Crosse's Carmen Follette, who struck out seven over the complete game shutout.
Brooklyn VanGruensven took the loss in the circle, allowing three runs (one earned) over four total innings, while
Lucy Knutson provided relief through the middle frames before VanGruensven finished up the game.
River Falls responded in a big way in the second game behind a dominant performance from freshman
Hailey Kincaid. The right-hander tossed a five-inning complete game no-hitter, striking out eight while allowing just one baserunner via walk in the run-rule victory. Wednesday's no-hitter from Kincaid is the first since
Brooklyn VanGruensven tossed one last season against Martin Luther College.
The Falcon offense backed Kincaid early and often, bringing home four in the first inning while capitalizing on Eagle miscues.
Caitlyn Kressel continued her strong stretch in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run to highlight the day.
Kayla Dolan added a pair of RBIs, while
Hannah Effertz and
Grace Gardner each drove in runs as part of a hot batting lineup that produced eight runs on seven hits.
With the split, the Falcons move to 9-25 overall and 2-9 in WIAC play as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. UWRF will travel to UW-Stevens Point this weekend for their final WIAC doubleheader of the season against the Pointers.
