MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College softball team had a chance to make a major statement in the North Central Community College Conference standings, however, a pair of narrow losses to Rock Valley College Tuesday at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field widened the gap atop the league. The WolfPack, who earlier in the day learned they were receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll, owned a brief lead in the opener before falling by a 3-2 final, and let a close game get away late in a 7-0 setback in the nightcap for their 14th straight loss to the #1-ranked (NJCAA DIII) Golden Eagles.

Game #1: Rock Valley College 3, Madison College 2

Neither team was able to score through the first two innings, but in the top of the third Rock Valley turned a leadoff walk issued by freshman Riley Landenberger into a 1-0 lead after a one-out triple to right-center. Sophomore Hannah Jensen replaced Landenberger in the circle to start the fourth inning, and after loading up the bases with one out, struck out back-to-back pinch hitters to end the threat.

That momentum carried into the home half. Ashley Kniesel doubled to left, and after a walk of Landenberger, the freshman from Waterloo, Wisconsin, scored on an opposite field single off the bat of Bailey Kratt. Two batters later the bases were loaded and number nine hitter Breanna Bollig slapped a ball to left that was misplayed and allowed another run to score for a 2-1 WolfPack lead. Unfortunately, the home team wasn't able to add more as Brenna Seeber went down looking and Ashley Burg flew out to leave three runners stranded.

The one-run advantage was shortlived as RVC got two runs right back in the fifth. An error, a single, and a walk loaded the bases for the Golden Eagles with one down, and a single up the middle was good enough to score two runs, the second sliding in just ahead of the tag after a throw home from Seeber.

The WolfPack had a chance to pull even - or possibly walk off with a win - in the seventh. Bollig opened with a single to left, and two batters later was joined on the bases when Ashley Burg ripped a base knock. But with two on and one out, Jensen popped up to the catcher and Brooke Heck went down swinging to end the game.

Only four Madison College batters registered a hit. Bailey Kratt and Breanna Bollig had the two RBI's, while Ashley Kniesel and Riley Landenberger scored the two runs.

Landenberger did not factor in the decision after tossing three innings of one-hit, one-run ball. The freshman struck out four and walked three. The loss falls to Hannah Jensen (2-6) after giving up an earned run on four hits, with a walk and two K's. Mackenzie Terrill entered to pitch the final two innings, and held the Golden Eagles to two hits while striking out two.

Game #2: Rock Valley College 7, Madison College 0

Game two opened with Rock Valley College (28-2/10-0) putting two runs on the board against freshman righthander Emily Wiederholt. The runs came as a result of three singles in the first four batters for a 2-0 lead.

Despite not recording a hit until the third inning, Madison College kept it a two-run game until the fifth. A pitching change brought Hannah Wienen in to start the inning, and the freshman loaded the bases with one out. Coach Leo Kalinowksi again went to the bullpen and brought Hannah Jensen in. The sophomore induced a ground out to third baseman Bailey Kratt, who got the force out at third, but threw the ball over the catcher's mitt at home to allow a run to score with two runners now in scoring position. After a walk reloaded the bases, RVC cleared them with a double to center to pushed the score to 6-0.

Rock Valley added another run in the seventh and kept the WolfPack off the scoreboard despite a pair of singles in the last half inning.

Emily Wiederholt (5-3) took the loss, her second straight after starting the year 5-1. The righty was on the hook for two runs on four hits in her four innings. Wiederholt did strike out four and walked just one. Hannah Wienen allowed three earned runs on one hit and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning. And Hannah Jensen went 2 2/3 innings with two earned runs and three hits given up. She walked two and struck out one.

For the second straight game, the WolfPack bats were limited to just four hits by four different players (Ashley Kniesel, Bre Feiler, Bailey Kratt, and Claire Brzenk) as they fall to 6-28 all-time against their N4C rival, who owns a four-game lead in the loss column of the league standings.

Up next:

Madison College (22-15) will remain home for a doubleheader on Friday against Carl Sandburg College (5-21). The two programs have split all six games they have played over the last three seasons, with the Chargers ending the WolfPack's season with a 7-2 decision last spring in the Region IV Tournament. Game one at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field starts at 2:30, with first pitch of game two expected around 4:30pm.

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