SUGAR GROVE, ILL. -  The Madison College softball team's eight-game win streak was snapped Sunday with a walk-off loss in the opener of a Region IV doubleheader against Waubonsee Community College. Despite two Ashley Kniesel home runs in game one, the WolfPack allowed two runs in the bottom of the seventh to fall 7-6, but rebounded with a big start in the nightcap for a 7-6 victory.

Game #1: Waubonsee Community College 7, Madison College 6

Madison College built an early lead to open the first game of the day, scoring two runs in the first and third innings. An error on the Chiefs left fielder on a ball hit by freshman Ashley Kniesel with runners on at the corners and two outs allowed Brenna Seeber and Brooke Heck to score in the top of the first. Then in the third, doubles by Heck and Riley Landenberger added up to another run scored, and a Bailey Kratt single drove in Landenberger for a 4-0 advantage.

The lead grew to 5-0 in the fifth when Kniesel led of the inning with a solo home run to left for her second long ball of the season.

Waubonsee answered in the fifth with four runs against starter Riley Landenberger. The freshman's final pitch ended as a two-run home to center that made it 5-4. Emily Wiederholt entered the circle in relief and closed out the inning despite giving up a double to the first batter she faced. The third batter to see the righthander from Cuba City, Wisconsin, sent one over the centerfield wall to open the bottom of the sixth and tied the game at five.

More drama took shape in the seventh with the game on the line. Kniesel, the freshman from Waterloo, Wisconsin, crushed her second home run of the game, another solo blast, to make it 6-5 WolfPack. In the bottom half, a walk, a single, and an error loaded the bases with one out against Wiederholt, and the Chiefs number five hitter took advantage, hitting a walk-off, two-RBI single up the middle for the win.

Emily Wiederholt (5-2) took the loss, her first since March 12. She allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings. Riley Landenberger went four-plus innings and surrendered four earned runs on three hits and three walks. She did strike out four batters.

Ashley Kniesel enjoyed the WolfPack's second multi-home run game of the season, as well as the first of her career. She finished with two runs scored and two driven in. Brooke Heck and Bailey Kratt also had two hit efforts, with Heck scoring two runs to match Knielsel.

Game #2: Madison College 7, Waubonsee Community College 6

Madison College scored all seven of its runs in the first two innings to start the day's finale, but had to survive a late scare to get the win. A five-run first inning saw Brooke Heck double in a pair of runs, and then score on Riley Landenberger's line drive single to left. Freshman Bre Feiler stepped to the plate with one on and one out, and proceeded to crush her first career home run for a 5-0 edge. The former Monona Grove High School athlete went opposite field over the left field fence.

Waubonsee (23-15) countered with two runs of their own in the first against starter Hannah Wienen, but the WolfPack came right back in the second to make it a five-run margin once again. Claire Brzenk and Ashley Kniesel both reached base with a single, and Brooke Heck drove in Brzenk with a single down the right field line. During the next at bat, Kniesel raced in from third to score on a passed ball.

It remained a 7-2 game until the third when the Chiefs put one more on the board, forcing coach Leo Kalinowski to turn to freshman reliever Mackenzie Terrill. The Milton, Wisconsin, product allowed another run in the fourth on a double steal, and brought the score to within 7-5 in the sixth off an RBI double. Still leading by two into the bottom of the seventh. the Chiefs opened the frame with a double and a walk, and two batters later traded a second out for a run to pull within 7-6. After another walk put runners at the corners, Terrill struck out the Waubonsee shortstop and number two hitter to end the threat and the game.

Mackenzie Terrill (4-1) tossed the final 4 1/3 innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits. The first year pitcher issued five walks and struck out five opposing hitters. Hannah Wienen was responsible for three runs on six hits and three walks in her 2 2/3 innings in the circle.

Brooke Heck led all hitters with three base knocks and three runs batted in. The Beaver Dam High School standout also scored a run. Bre Feiler contributed two RBI and a run scored, while Ashley Kniesel paced the 'Pack scoring two runs.

Up next: 

Madison College (22-13/8-2) returns to North Central Community College Conference action on Tuesday with huge matchup against #1 Rock Valley College (28-2/8-0). The Golden Eagles, who have won three straight national championships and four consecutive N4C titles, are riding an 11-game win streak on the season. The WolfPack have dropped three contests to RVC this year, though two did not count against the conference record, and trail by two games in the loss column of the league standings. Madison College has not won in the head-to-head series since 2014 and have lost the last 12 meetings. First pitch at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field is at 3:00 p.m. for game one, and game two will follow at approximately 5:00 p.m.

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