Softball Survives to Play on Saturday

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – The CUW softball team advanced to the NACC North Division finals with a victory in the elimination game on Friday evening. After starting the day with a 3-1 loss in 10 innings to MSOE, CUW rebounded with a 3-1 victory over Marian to stay alive. CUW moves to 30-7 on the season.

MSOE struck first with a home run in the first inning on Friday afternoon.

Junior Alyssa Vilkoski tied the game in the fifth inning on a single through the left side of the infield to score sophomore Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.).

The Raiders broke the tie in the 10^th inning with a two-run home run.

Junior Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.) picked up seven strikeouts in the start. Alyssa Vilkoski had one strikeout in relief.

Claudia Utz led CUW with two hits in game one.

With their backs against the wall, the Falcons responded in game two.

Senior Jenna Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) put the Falcons ahead in the second inning with a blast over the left-field fence.

CUW added to the lead in the sixth inning when senior Kelsey Bollon (Orangeville, Ill.) doubled to score freshman Madison Wheat (Cowerta, Okla.). Bollon also scored on the play.

Junior Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) held Marian to only two hits in the game and fished with eight strikeouts.

Kelsey Bollon and sophomore Sydney Erdmann (Geneva, Ill.) both had two hits in the win.

CUW will play MSOE on Saturday and will have to knock the Raiders off twice to keep the season alive.