Softball smashes school records at Alverno

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Falcons picked up a NACC victory on Monday at Alverno. Senior Sara Rosenow broke the school record for stolen bases in game two. CUW also broke three team records. The Falcons opened the day with an 11-6 victory and lead game two, 12-2. The game was called due to darkness and will be resumed on Tuesday in the top of the fifth inning. The Blue and White improve to 7-7 on the year and 2-1 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

The Falcons jumped on Alverno early in game one with three runs in the first inning.

Senior Sara Rosenow (Kimberly, Wis.) started the scoring with an infield single to score junior Samantha Schloegl (Genoa City, Wis.).

Junior Emma Schimberg (Random Lake, Wis.) then singled to center field to score sophomore Jenna Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) and senior Maddie Zazas (Mundelein, Ill.).

In the third inning, Emma Schimberg doubled to the gap in left-center field to score Jenna Pozezinski.

Junior Molly O'Connell (New London, Wis.) had a home run in the fourth inning by the right field foul pole.

Alverno cut into the lead in the fourth inning with a pair of home runs.

Junior Nicole Lewis (Manhattan, Ill.) was able to get Emma Schimberg across home plate in the fifth inning with a shot to second base.

Jenna Pozezinski sent the ball over the fence in the sixth inning for her team-leading fourth home run of the season, which also scored Samantha Schloegl.

The Falcons posted a trio of solo home runs in the seventh inning from Emma Schimberg, senior Becky Bonnin (Kenosha, Wis.) and freshman Krystal Cortes (Aurora, Ill.). All three home runs were the first for the trio at CUW.

The three home runs in the seventh inning are the most in a single inning in program history.

The five home runs is also a program record.

"Even though the wind was blowing out, several of the balls hit out were no doubters," said head coach Steve Crook. "It was very cool to have Becky, Emma and Krystal get their first collegiate home runs tonight.  They are not necessarily home run hitters but all are excellent hitters who have gap power and very good approaches at the plate.  Molly and Jenna are our home run leaders but they do it with a balanced swing with power to all fields.  It is a great feeling to have this much balance throughout the lineup."

Alverno added three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Freshman Ariana Rivota (Chicago, Ill.) and freshman Baileigh Johnson (Neillsville, Wis.) had their first at-bats at CUW.

Freshman Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) recorded four strikeouts on Monday.

Nicole Lewis earned the victory in the circle and freshman Payton Dorn (Freedom, Wis.) made her first appearance in the circle.

The Falcons finished with 14 hits, Emma Schimberg and Jenna Pozezinski led the Falcons with three.

Emma Schimberg posted a career-high four RBI.

Freshman Jeanette Ebel (Mount Clemens, Mich.) made her first appearance of the year as a pinch runner.

Senior Samantha Schumacher (Freedom, Wis.) kept Alverno glued to the bases in game one and did not allow a stolen base.

The Falcons struck in the first inning of game two with a sacrifice fly from Maddie Zazas to score Molly O'Connell.

Alverno took the lead in the bottom of the first inning with a home run.

Becky Bonnin tied the game in the second inning with a single through the left side of the infield to score Taylor Kuske.

In the fourth inning, freshman Taylor Kuske (Kaukauna, Wis.) scored on an error and Emma Schimberg scored on a double from Krystal Cortes.

The floodgates opened for the Falcons in the fifth inning.

Sara Rosenow stole second base for her 53^rd stolen base and the school record. Passing Tara Wagner at 52.

"It felt amazing to break the record," said Rosenow. "Especially with all of my teammates, friends and family all there to support me. I try to contribute as much as I can so we can win as a team. I have never really broken a record like this before, so it is a great feeling to see all of the hard work over the past four years pay off."

Rosenow then scored on a double from Becky Bonnin that also scored Taylor Kuske.

"Sara has excelled in so many ways during her time at CUW," said Crook. "But, stealing bases is probably at the top of the list. Her speed and instincts are both incredible and give our offense a tremendous boost. Sara is great young lady who has truly impacted our program and I am happy she will be remembered as one of the greatest baserunners of all time."

Krystal Cortes then sent Bonnin in safely on a single through the right side of the infield.

A fielding error scored Baileigh Johnson.

Maddie Zazas then singled up the middle of the infield to score Samantha Schloegl and Molly O'Connell.

Taylor Kuske singled down the left field line to score Jenna Pozezinski and Maddie Zazas.

The Falcons will have runners on first and second base with one out when the game is resumed on Tuesday.

The Blue and White broke a school record with nine stolen bases.

In the circle, freshman Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.) and freshman Alyssa Vilkoski (Greenfield, Wis.) have three strikeouts.

The 14 hits in game two is a season high.

With game two finishing on Tuesday, the series at Wisconsin-Whitewater has been cancelled.