PALATINE, ILL. - The Madison College softball team used big inning after big inning to earn two lopsided wins over Harper College in a North Central Community College Conference doubleheader on Tuesday. The WolfPack, ranked #19 in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll, dismantled the Hawks by scores of 19-3 and 21-2 in a pair of five inning games. The 'Pack hsa won 17 straight in the head-to-head series, which now stands at 28-12-1 all-time.

Game #1: #19 Madison College 19, Harper College 3 (5 innings)

Madison College took full control early in the opener with a five-run first inning that was part of a 17-0 start to the game. The eight runs in the second inning were highlighted by Katie Joten's two-run inside-the-park home run. The freshman from Little Chute, Wisconsin, matched that feat an inning later with another race around the bags on a two-run inside-the-park home run. Yet another inside-the-park roundtripper led off the fourth inning and saw freshman Taylor VonBehren touch all four bases.

With 20 total hits, Madison College had three players with three hits in the game. Maddie Kvatek was a perfect 3 for 3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Brianna Brandner and Abby Luczak also had three hits each, and both scored two times, though Brandner also picked up an RBI. Joten's team-high four runs batted in mark her third game this season with four or more as she leads the team with 19 on the season. She also added two runs scored on her two hits.

The WolfPack also stole a season-high seven bases.

Sophomore Cathryn Hiller (1-1) earned the win with five innings of work in the circle. The Random Lake, Wisconsin, native gave up three earned runs on five hits, one walk, and struck out five.

Game #1: #19 Madison College 21, Harper College 2 (5 innings)

Game two played out much the same way with the WolfPack running around the bases, as they tallied in impressive seven triples, two doubles, and four stolen bases. Madison College scored twice in the first inning and added four more runs in the second before the Hawks made it a 6-2 differential. From there it was all WolfPack, scoring seven runs in the third inning off five hits, including three triples, and an error. They added five runs in the fourth and three in the fifth.

Leadoff hitter and Rubicon, Wisconsin, native, Briel Burg led Madison College in every offensive category, with three hits, four runs scored, and four runs batted in - all career-high numbers. Katherine Brandl, Mallory Sterling, Bella Williams, and Paige Peloquin each had two hits, with Brandl sitting behind Briel with three RBI and Peloquin doing the same by scoring three runs. Hannah Melum and Megan Zillges also added their names to the list of players with three or more runs scored.

Pitcher Abbie Cavadini (3-0) did not allow an earned run in her five innings. The former West Salem HS athlete struck out six batters, walk two, and allowed two hits.

Up Next:

Madison College (16-2, 3-1) is continues an eight-game roadtrip with a Region 4 doubleheader at Triton College (27-6). The WolfPack has won four straight and seven of the last eight meetings since 2018, and lead the all-time series 23-11 against their former N4C rival. Game one in River Grove, Illinois, is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start, followed by an approximate 6:00 p.m. start for game two. 

Fans are allowed at the games, which will also be streamed live here.

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