RHINELANDER, WISC. - The Madison College softball team concluded their final day of games at the Hodag Dome with two more wins to improve their season-opening win streak to four straight. Wednesday's wins featured the 16th-ranked WolfPack producing 28 runs and 31 hits combined after a 16-5 decision over Lake Region State College (ND) and a 12-9 victory against Bay College (MI).

Game #1: #16 Madison College 16, Lake Region State College 5 (7 innings)

Madison College jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Royals, but exploded late with 11 runs in the final two innings to earn the runaway win. Sophomore Megan Miklesh set the tone for the day in the first inning with a solo home run to center field for her second long ball in as many days. The advantage became 3-0 in the second thanks to run-scoring singles by freshmen Megan Zillges and Katie Joten that plated Briel Burg and Zillges, respectively. After LRSC narrowed the gap to 3-2, the 'Pack answered with two of their own in the third as Mallory Sterling and Taylor VonBehren each produced another run. The Royals again responded to make it 5-4 after three innings.

The final two innings saw Madison College take advantage of 11 hits, six of which went for extra bases. The sixth inning was highlighted by a two-RBI double for Miklesh and triple from Brianna Brander that also drove in a pair. An inning later, Joten crushed a two-run homer beyond the center field wall, her first collegiate blast. Brandner capped the the WolfPack scoring fest with two more runs driven in on a hard-hit double to center.

Six different Madison College hitters posted two or more hits, led by a 4 for 5 effort from Joten. The first year infielder from Little Chute, Wisconsin, collected four runs batted in and two scored. Miklesh was right behind with three hits, to go along with three RBI, and three touches of home. Brandner, a native of Little Chute, Wisconsin, matched Joten with four runs driven in as part of a 2 for 3 day. Sterling equaled Miklesh in runs scored with three, and finished the game 2 for 3 with two walks and a RBI.

Lost in all of the offensive firepower were the efforts of Abbie Cavadini and Casey Fountain in the pitcher's circle. Cavadini (1-0), a freshman West Salem, Wisconsin, earned her first career win after going three innings and giving up one earned run on four hits and a walk. She struck out one hitter. Casey Fountain entered in relief to work the final four innings and was credited with one earned run, one hit allowed, and four strikeouts.

The WolfPack is now 5-0 all-time against Lake Region State College (5-6).

Game #2: #16 Madison College 12, Bay College 9 (7 innings)

Another fast start contributed to a season-best ten-run advantage after four innings, however, Madison College had to hold on late as Bay College rallied to within three runs. The WolfPack batted around in the first inning en route to a 5-0 lead. Freshman Lauren Steien's groundball to left scored the final two runs of an inning that included four hits and three free passes. A series of home runs began in the second inning with Casey Fountain and Abby Luczak both going long for their first of the season to make it 7-0. Steien joined the club with a two-run blast in the third for a 9-0 edge. The ten-run differential came in the fourth when Hannah Melum's groundball to shortstop plated Luczak and Alisia Palms.

The Norse rally started in the fifth with three runs and nearly closed the gap in the seventh with five runs before the 'Pack closed out the win. Steien picked up the win in the circle, to go along with her stellar performance at the plate. The Taylor, Wisconsin, product tossed four innings and gave up five earned runs on seven hits and two strikeouts. Cathryn Hiller worked the remaining three innings and was sadled with three earned runs on two hits with four walks and a K. 

In the batter's box, Steien went 2 for 4 with a career-best four runs batted in and two scored. Nine other WolfPack batters each had a hit, with Fountain and Melum both posting two RBI and Luczak and Palms each scored two times.

Madison College swept both games against Bay College in the first two meetings between the two programs.

Up Next:

Madison College (4-0) will attempt to continue it's season-opening win streak when it travels south to Danville, Illinois, on Friday, March 19 for a doubleheader with Danville Area Community College (2-2), and then again Sunday, March 21 to play two against Illinois Central College (3-7). Both series will mark the first-ever meetings against the Jaguars and Cougars. First pitches on Friday are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., while Sunday's twin bill will begin at noon and 2:00 p.m.

Follow WolfPack softball: Facebook | Twitter | GameChanger