CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Madison College softball team was hoping to show perennial power Kirkwood Community College (IA) a much improved version of itself following last year's lopsided sweep at the hands of the Eagles. Unfortunately, the #20 WolfPack were once again no match for #3 Kirkwood in dropping a pair of road games by scores of 8-0 and 8-1 on Thursday in a matchup of teams ranked in the NJCAA Division II Poll. The back-to-back losses are the first of the season for the 'Pack, who have now dropped four of their last six games after starting 14-1.

Game #1: #3 Kirkwood Community College (IA) 8, #20 Madison College 0 (5 innings)

Shut out for the first time all season, the WolfPack bats were only able to must one hit against KCC pitcher Doni Rae Mayhew. Despite putting the ball in play frequently, Madison College's lone hit came in the top of the fourth when freshman leadoff hitter Sam Schloegl hit a line drive to center. With their first runner on base, the WolfPack produced three consecutive ground balls to record outs in each of the next three at bats. Mayhew did not walk a single batter and recorded just one strikeout in locking up the visiting bats.

On the other side, Madison College freshman Alli Walker (4-1) took her first loss of the season after allowing three earned runs on seven hits and three walks over her four innings in the circle. Walker, who kept the Eagles at bay through the first two innings and did strike out two batters, was removed after walking the leadoff batter to start the fifth and the 'Pack down 2-0. Sophomore Mackenzie Terrill entered in relief and gave up four hits, three of which went for extra bases and the last of which was a two-run home run to end the game in a run-rule. Terrill was saddled with five earned runs and a walk in 2/3 of an inning.

Game #2: #3 Kirkwood Community College (IA) 8, #20 Madison College 1 (7 innings)

Looking to put up more of a fight in game two, Madison College struck first with a run in the third inning that busted up a scoreless game. With two outs on the board, Sam Schloegl single to left, stole second base, and advanced to third on Claire Brzenk's single down the third base line. Freshman Brittany Bredemann produced the run with a RBI bloop single to left.

Madison College's first and only lead of the twin bill was short-lived, as the Eagles (22-2) answered with a monster eight-run bottom half. Starter Riley Landerberger allowed a leadoff double, which was then followed by three consecutive home runs against the sophomore righthander. Now trailing 4-1, coach Leo Kalinowski turned to fellow second year Emily Wiederholt for relief, however, Kirkwood rallied with two outs to score four more runs on four singles and a pair of walks. The WolfPack managed three more base runners the rest of the game and was unable to put together a comeback.

Bredemann, a Stratford, Wisconsin, native, went 2 for 2 with a RBI to lead the way offensively. Landenberger (4-1) became the second Madison College pitcher to suffer their first loss of the season after giving up four runs, six hits, and a walk in two innings of work. Wiederholt was also tagged for four runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out four.

Kirkwood has won all eight meetings between the two programs in a series that dates to 2009.

Up Next:

Madison College (16-5) remains on the road for another doubleheader Saturday, March 24 against Region IV foe South Suburban College (12-7). The Bulldogs and WolfPack have split ten prior meetings, including a pair of games last week in Florida. Madison College won the first by a 14-5 final, but fell two days later by a tally of 9-7. In 2017, the 'Pack swept two games in Wisconsin, taking each by a single run. First pitch of game one is set for noon in South Holland, Illinois, with game two to follow at approximately 2:00 p.m.

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