ROSEMONT, ILL. - The first day of the 2020 season could not have gone much better for the Madison College softball team, which picked up a pair of victories over ranked North Central Community College Conference opponents at the N4C Dome Jamboree on Thursday. The WolfPack, ranked #11 in the NJCAA Division II Poll, picked up a 5-4 defeat of NJCAA DIII #1 Rock Valley College and ended the day with a 5-3 decision against NJCAA DIII #6 Joliet Junior College. It is the second time in the last three years the 'Pack has started a season 2-0.

Game #1: #11 Madison College 5, #1 Rock Valley College 4 (7 innings)

Game one of the season marked the fourth straight year in which Madison College has opened against Rock Valley College, who for the sixth sixth straight year comes to the Jamboree as the defending NJCAA Division III National Champions and the defending N4C title holders. The WolfPack, however, defeated the Golden Eagles to start the year for the second time in that four-year stretch.

The game's first run came in the top of the third inning when two single and back-to-back walks forced in freshman Kaylee Ramirez, and fellow first year Megan Miklesh a RBI. One inning later, Madison College blew the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Freshman outfielder Sabrina Reuter drove a line drive to left for a two-run double to push the lead to 3-0. Riding the wave of momentum, shortstop Katherine Brandl sent the very next pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run and the first homer of her career. The five-run cushion proved to be just enough as the Golden Eagles (1-1, 1-1) put up a four-run inning of their own in the fifth, plating one run on a wild pitch and the other three on a bases-clearing triple to center.

Reuter, a native of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, had two of the WolfPack's six hits, and generated two runs batted in and a run scored. Brandl's bomb gave the former Fort Atkinson High School athlete two RBI and a run scored on her 1 for 4 day. Ramirez, a second baseman from DeForest, Wisconsin, crossed home twice as part of a 1 for 2 performance at the plate with a stolen base.

Sophomore Jordan Martin (1-0) picked up her first win of the season with a complete game two-hitter. The righthander from Hortonville, Wisconsin, allowed just four unearned runs and struck out four batters, while issuing four walks and two wild pitches.

The victory is just the seventh against Rock Valley College since the two became N4C foes in 2010. The Golden Eagles, who had won five straight and 19 of the previous 20 meetings, still owns a 36-16 lead in the all-time series. 

Game #2: #11 Madison College 5, #6 Joliet Junior College 3 (7 innings)

Madison College took full advantage of a chance to grab a early stranglehold atop the N4C standings when they met up with the ranked Wolves. The WolfPack jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a run-scoring double through the right side by freshman Olivia Bobak. Her first career RBI drove in Gracie Malin after the freshman singled up the middle as part of three consecutive hits to start the game. The advantage grew to 3-0 in the third on a pair of run-producing hits. Malin again reached base as she was hit by a pitch, and after stealing second, raced in to score on Sabrina Reuter's line drive single. Two batters later it was freshman Abby Luczak driving in Reuter with a ground ball to left for her first career RBI. Reuter and Bobak struck again the fifth with a single and a triple, respectively, to go up 4-0. They capped the scoring two batters later when Katherine Brandl hit a fielder's choice to second, allowing Bobak to race in. Joliet Junior College (0-1, 0-1) tried to rally in their final at bat, but were held to three runs on four hits, two free passes, and an error.

Bobak, a native of Monroe, Wisconsin, nearly did it all for the WolfPack. At the plate, she was 2 for 3 - both hits going for extra bases - with a pair of RBI and a run scored. Bobak (1-0) also got the start in the circle, and the righthander struck out nine batters over 6 1/3 innings of work. She was credited for three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits and a walk.

Reuter was a perfect 3 for 3 at the dish, producing a pair of runs scored and driving in another. Malin finished with a hit and scored two runs. Freshman Lauren Green (S, 1) earned her first career save in relief of Bobak. The former Cumberland High School athlete worked the final two outs of the game and did not surrender a single hit or run, but did issue one walk.

Madison College is 33-14 all-time against the JJC, who had snapped a 23-game WolfPack win streak in the series in their final meeting of 2019. 

Up Next:

Madison College (2-0, 2-0) will continue play at the N4C Dome Jamboree on Friday, March 6 with three more N4C matchups, followed by three more contests on Saturday, March 7. Their remaining schedule is as follows:
Friday
9:00 a.m. vs. Milwaukee Area Technical College (0-0, 0-0)
11:00 a.m. vs. Triton College (4-0, 2-0)
3:00 p.m. vs. College of DuPage (0-2, 0-2)
Saturday
9:00 am vs. Harper College
3:00 p.m. vs. Elgin Community College
5:00 p.m. vs. Bryant & Stratton College

Follow WolfPack softball: Facebook | Twitter