MADISON, WISC. - Playing for the first time in nearly a week due to several canceled doubleheaders, the Madison College softball team continued their winning ways with a pair of victories over Region IV foe Illinois Valley Community Colllege on Thursday at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field. Sophomore Paige Cornelissen provided the difference with a clutch sixth inning home run to win the opener 7-5, while the #11-ranked WolfPack used a six-run inning in the nightcap to win 9-1 in five innings. The 'Pack, winners of 11 of their last 12 games, is now 9-5 all-time against the Eagles with six straight wins.

Game #1: #11 Madison College 7, Illinois Valley Community College 5 (7 innings)

Both teams were able to put up crooked numbers in their respective halves of the second inning to get the scoring started. After the Eagles plated three runs on an error and three hits as they faced starter Maddie Fink, the WolfPack responded with a four-run frame. With two on and two outs, second year outfielder Paige Cornelissen started her big day with a line drive single to center to get the 'Pack on the board. Freshman Maegan Brookins followed with a RBI single to make it 3-2, and sophomore Dany Gumz finished the scoring surge with a two-run triple to the wall in right center that put the home team on top 4-3. Illinois Valley tied the game at four in the fifth, but Madison College took advantage of back-to-back hits and a throwing error to go back in front 5-4. It was shortlived, with IVCC using an error and consecutive singles in the top of the sixth to once again pull even.

It set the stage for Cornelissen's dramatic bomb in the home half. Fellow second year Nicole Ferch opened the inning with a ground ball single up the middle, but two batters later and with two outs on the board, the Wrightstown, Wisconsin, native pulled the first pitch she saw over the right field fence to give the 'Pack a 7-5 advantage. The long ball is the second of the season and of her career for the slap-hitting lefty.



Cornelissen finished 2 for 4 with a career-high three runs batted in and two more scored. Brookins and freshman centerfielder Irene Tomasovic also had two hits,with Brookins picking up a RBI and a run scored, and Tomasovic touching home once. Gumz posted two runs batted in with her lone hit.

First year righthander Maddie Fink (11-2) continued her impressive win streak with her ninth straight winning decision. The former Stevens Point Area Senior High athlete went seven innings and allowed three earned runs on ten hits and three walks, while also striking out two.

Game #2: #11 Madison College 9, Illinois Valley Community College 1 (5 innings)

Game two saw the WolfPack take a quick 1-0 lead with a pair of doubles in the first inning from Maegan Brookins and Irene Tomasovic. Illinois Valley Community College (16-9) tied the score in the top of the third, but Madison College exploded for a half-dozen runs in the bottom, thanks to five hits, three errors, and a walk. Freshmen Morgan Dercola and Kaela Kraemer recorded back-to-back RBI base hits during the inning. Nicole Ferch drove in Montana Platts in the fourth to make it 8-1, and Tomasovic closed out the run-rule walk-off with a RBI-single to center in the fifth that allowed Paige Cornelissen to touch home.

Freshman Jordan Martin (11-2) continued her impressive return from injury with a fifth consecutive victory. The Hortonville, Wisconsin, native surrendered one unearned run on four hits and two walks, while striking out five batters over five innings. She now sits at 98 K's for the season.

Five different Madison College players finished with multiple hits, led by Tomasovic and Dercola. The duo each went 2 for 3 with two runs batted in and another scored, matching a career-best RBI effort of Dercola. Platts, a former Wilmot Union High School athlete, posted a team-high two runs scored as part of her 2 for 3 day.

Up Next: 

Madison College (32-10) will finish out the regular season with a pair of road doubleheaders in Region IV play. The WolfPack travel to Waubonsee Community College (25-14) for a 3pm start on Friday, May 3 in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The 'Pack then concludes their schedule on Saturday, May 4 with a noon twin bill at Kishwaukee College (10-21) in Malta, Illinois.

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