MADISON, WISC. - Madison College softball freshman Maddie Fink has found a groove in the pitcher's circle, and it continued Monday with another gem as the WolfPack split a North Central Community College Conference doubleheader against the College of DuPage at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field. The righthander tossed a second straight one-hit shutout as the #14-ranked 'Pack won the opener 12-0 in five innings, however, the Chaparrals held off a late Madison College rally in the finale to pick up a 6-3 road win. The loss ended a six-game win streak on the season, as well as a seven-game win streak over the College of DuPage, which still leads the all-time 25-16.

Game #1: #14 Madison College 12, College of DuPage 0 (5 innings)

The WolfPack exploded out of the gates with a ten-run first inning, marking their second double-digit scoring inning of the season. The offensive surge included seven hits, two hit batters, two errors, and two stolen bases. After a hit batter forced in the game's first run, freshman Montana Platts singled in two more to stake the 'Pack to a 3-0 lead. With the bases loaded for the second time in the inning, second year catcher Nicole Ferch doubled on a line drive to center the cleared the runners for a 6-0 advantage. Designated player Morgan Dercola then stepped to the plate, and the freshman ripped a triple to the fence in right center to plate Ferch. Sophomores Paige Cornelissen, Maegan Brookins, and Dany Gumz each registered a RBI as they made their second plate appearance of the inning, which featured 14 batters. Madison College added another run in the second when second year shortstop Hannah Grahl doubled home Kyrsten George, and the game's final run was scored in the fourth courtesy of another extra base hit from Dercola. 

While the offense was lighting up the scoreboard, Maddie Fink was putting up nothing but zeros from the circle. The native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, followed up her one-hit shutout against Sauk Valley Community College on Saturday by holding the Chaparrals to a third inning single as she worked another five strong innings. Fink (5-2) struck out eight batters and walked one en route to her third straight win. During that stretch, she has held opposing batters to one run and five hits, while striking out 20 in 16.0 innings.

The bottom third of the Madison College lineup amassed six of their ten hits, as Ferch, Dercola, and Grahl each went 2 for 3. Ferch, a native of Cudahy, Wisconsin, led the team with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Dercola, a former Sussex Hamilton High School athlete, had two RBI and a run scored, matching the production of Platts. Brookins was the only other player to score more than once. 

Game #2: College of DuPage 6, #14 Madison College 3 (7 innings)

The tables were flipped in the second game when the College of DuPage (7-22, 1-5-1) got to WolfPack starter Cathryn Hiller for five early runs in the first three innings. The Chaparrals used two hits and an error to plate three in the opening half inning, and then took a 5-0 lead in the third with two more runs on two more hits to end the day for Hiller. Madison College cut into the deficit in the fourth with a three-run, three-hit inning. A lead-off triple by freshman Paige Hintz set the table for run scoring hits from Hannah Grahl and Maddie Krafcheck. Then pinch runner Kaela Kraemer used her speed and some perfect timing to score from third on a ground out to the right side by Maegan Brookins to make it a two-run game. Unfornately, the 'Pack never created a real scoring opportunity after that, while the Chaparrals added an insurance run in the top of the seventh before setting down the 'Pack 1-2-3. 

Hiller, a product of Random Lake, Wisconsin, was credited with just one earned run of the five scored during her three innings. She gave up four hits, walked one batter, and struck out another. Fellow freshman Brianna Farrington worked the final four innings and was tagged for an unearned run on two hits. She recorded one strikeout. 

Madison College was held to six hits, their fewest in six games, and four went for extra bases. Gumz, a sophomore first baseman from Marshall, Wisconsin, went 2 for 3, and Grahl was only player with both a RBI and a run scored after going 1 for 3. 

Up Next: 

Madison College (19-7, 4-3) will have a quick turnaround with another home North Central Community College Conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 16 against Triton College (18-15, 4-3). The Trojans topped the WolfPack by an 11-3 final at the N4C Dome Jamboree in early March to end a three-game 'Pack win streak in the head-to-head series. Madison College does boast a 19-11 record all-time. Game one at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start time, with game two to follow at approximately 4:00 p.m.

All home Madison College softball games can be streamed live at MadisonCollege.tv.

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