No. 17 Softball Sweeps Away St. Norbert

MEQUON, Wis. – The Falcons celebrated opening day with a sweep over the NACC's newest member. The Blue and White made the Green Knights green with envy with an 8-0, 9-1 sweep. CUW improves to 27-3 on the year and to 15-2 in the NACC. St. Norbert sinks to 5-27 and to 5-13 with the sweep.

The Falcons struck early in game one with three runs in the first inning. Junior Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.) singled through the left side of the infield to score freshman Jess Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.). Junior Ashley Zappa (Zion, Ill.) then unleashed a double to centerfield that allowed Claudia Utz and senior Taylor Kuske (Kaukauna, Wis.) to cross home plate.

That would be all of the run support senior Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) needed as she kept the Green and Gold off the scoreboard. She finished with 13 strikeouts and only three hits and zero walks.

Senior Krystal Cortes (Aurora, Ill.) scored junior Gabbi Gaziano (Beloit, Wis.).

The Falcons broke the game apart with four runs in the sixth inning to trigger the mercy rule.

Jess Pozezinski started the scoring with a single to centerfield that scored sophomore Emily Walters (Waupun, Wis.). She later scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Kelsey Bollon (Orangeville, Ill.).

Taylor Kuske crushed a double to left field to allow sophomore Madison Wheat (Coweta, Okla.) to score.

Claudia Utz called the game with a double to right field that Kuske scored on.

Taylor Kuske and Krystal Cortes led the game with three hits.

The Green Knights tried to get rolling early and filled the bases in the second inning. However, the Falcons' defense stood firm and ended the threat with a strikeout from senior Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.).

The birds responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Gabbi Gaziano threw the first punch with a single to right field that scored Taylor Kuske. Madison Wheat then had a sacrifice fly that scored freshman Megan Bloyer (Oregon, Wis.).

St. Norbert scored its lone run of the day in the fourth inning that was unearned.

Claudia Utz blasted a laser through the left side of the infield in the fifth inning that sent Jess Pozezinski and Madison Wheat across home plate.

CUW erupted again in the sixth inning of game two with five runs.

Junior Sydney Erdmann started the attack with a single to center field to send in Ashley Zappa.

Kelsey Bollon pushed the ball through the left side of the infield to score Jess Pozezinski and junior Abby Kerrins (Cullom, Wis.).

The bat of Taylor Kuske allowed Sydney Erdmann to reach home plate.

Megan Bloyer brought out the broom with a single to center field and Kelsey Bollon stomped on home plate.

Nicki Becker was sensational once again in the circle with six strikeouts and only allowed four hits and a walk, without allowing an earned run.

The Falcons return to play on Wednesday against Rockford.