Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Better late than never, as the old saying goes. The Madison College softball team was supposed to play their conference opening doubleheader with Harper College on March 25, instead they played it today, Monday, April 7. The result was a split with the rival Hawks, as Harper took the opener 14-9 and the WolfPack won the back end of the double dip 4-3.

Game one, the 'Pack would open up a big lead early on the Hawks. Madison College scored three runs in both the first and third innings to go up 6-0.

In the opening frame, Karlie Ganzer started the scoring with a single to left to bring in Andrea Lawrence. Nicole Hoffmann brought in run number two, reaching on a fielder's choice as Kasey Gutzmer raced home. The WolfPack's final run in the first inning came in impressive fashion, with Hoffmann stealing second and Paige Giese taking home. 

Gutzmer got things going for Madison College in the third with a solo home run to left. That momentum carried forward, with Hoffmann hitting a single to left to score Giese. Brianna Wagner would then push the score up to 6-0 with a sac fly that allowed Ganzer to cross the dish.

All of the WolfPack's hard work through the first three innings would be neutralized in the top of the fourth. The Hawks scored six runs in the inning, including a three-run homer by Jaz Skor, to even the score.

Madison College regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Giese and Ganzer each had singles to score a run and the 'Pack was back on top 8-6.

Unfortunately, another Harper home run by Sam Cummings in the fifth would tie things up once more. The two-run shot made it 8-8.

Madison College found itself down 9-8 in the seventh, but then Wagner came through in a big way. Her sac fly to center would score Hoffmann and in turn force extra innings.

The Hawks would refuse to lose in the opener though. In the ninth, Harper would hit up the WolfPack for five runs to seal the 14-9 victory.

Paige Weber (2-4) took the loss for Madison College. Weber pitched four and two-thirds innings, giving up nine hits and six unearned runs.

Game two, the teams only got in five innings due to rain. However, it was all the 'Pack needed to pick up an official win.

Karlie Ganzer would once again start the scoring for Madison College. Her single to center in the first inning brought in Andrea Lawrence, giving the WolfPack a 1-0 lead.

Harper College scored the next two runs, one each in the third and fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Unphased, the 'Pack would rally back in the bottom of the fourth.

A Hawks error would cost them big, allowing two Madison College runners to score. After Ganzer reached on the error, both Kasey Gutzmer and Hailey Simpson would cross the plate.

With Harper now trailing 3-2 in the fifth, a sac fly would allow the Hawks to even the score. Sam Cummings connected on a pitch and drove it deep enough to right to plate Jaz Skor.

In what would prove to be the final inning for Madison College, Lawrence took one for the team in the bottom of the fifth, literally. Lawrence was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving Casey Beckwith the free trip home for the game-winning run.

Paige Giese (3-3) got credit for the 4-3 victory. Giese threw all five innings, giving up just six hits and two earned runs.