MADISON, WISC. - A clutch single from freshman Maddie Kvatek in the bottom of the eighth gave the Madison College softball team a doubleheader split with Rock Valley College in a key meeting atop the North Central Community College Conference standings on Monday. A pitcher's dual in the first game closed with the top-ranked (NJCAA DIII) Golden Eagles taking a 1-0 win, which was followed by a back-and-forth nightcap where the WolfPack, who are still receiving votes in the NJCAA Division II Poll, completed a come-from-behind rally to win 8-7 in extra innings.

Game #1: #1 Rock Valley College 1, Madison College 0 (7 innings)

Neither team was able to scratch out a run through the game's first five innings, though both teams had their chances. Rock Valley College left a runner on third in the first inning against starter Casey Fountain, and both teams stranded a runner at second in the third inning. The Golden Eagles broke through in the sixth with a pair of singles. The WolfPack found their best scoring opportunity in the home half of the sixth with bases loaded and no outs. Maddie Kvatek ripped a line drive down the first base line that was caught on a diving catch by the first baseman, who promptly touched first base with her glove to record an impressive double play. With runners still on second and third, the threat was ended with a called strike three.

Fountain (8-2) suffered just her second loss of the season despite holding the Golden Eagles to one earned run on four hits and five walks. The native of Poynette, Wisconsin, established a new career-high with 12 strikeouts, which is also the highest of any WolfPack pitcher this spring.



Madison College generated just three hits in the game, with Katie Joten, Brianna Brandner, and Abbie Cavadini each producing one.

Game #2: Madison College 8, #1 Rock Valley College 7 (8 innings)

Game two saw much more offensive fire power on display as the teams combined for 15 runs and 20 hits. Madison College struck first with two runs on three hits in the first inning. Katie Joten and Maddie Kvatek both singled to start the inning, and then scored on an Abby Luczak ground out and Katherine Brandl single, respectively. Rock Valley College (31-7, 5-1) rallied in the third with three runs on three hits and a walk. Joten again led off an inning with a single, and eventually wound up on third in time to score on a passed ball to even the score 3-3. 

A bizarre fourth inning resulted in three more runs for the home team and a 6-3 lead. A wild pitch allowed Bella Williams to race in from third, however, it also resulted in an injury to the home plate umpire and a more than 30-minute delay. When action resumed, the WolfPack used back-to-back walks and a Joten single to plate another run. The final tally came on a productive ground out by Kvatek. RVC came back with a pair of runs in the fifth to close within one, and then took the lead with a two-run single in the sixth.

The come-from-behind effort started with the 'Pack trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh and Kvatek ripping a line drive down the right field line. An error by the right fielder allowed Kvatek to hustle around to third, setting up a sacrifice fly by Mia Noelker to send the game to extra innings. After limiting the Golden Eagles to one base runner that was stranded at second, Madison College started the bottom of the eigth with two strikeouts. Brianna Brandner singled to left to keep the inning going. Following a Joten walk, Kvatek played the role of hero with a game-ending single to deep right center and Brandner easily scored from second to give the WolfPack a walk-off win.



Kvatek, a former Stevens Point Area SH athlete, finished with two runs scored and two batted in on a pair of hits. Joten went for three hits to lead the 'Pack at the plate, and scored two runs and drove in another. Brandl also enjoyed a two-hit game, and Brandner tallied a pair of runs scored.

In the circle, starter Mallory Sterling went three innings and allowed three earned runs, three hits, and a walk, while striking out two. The win falls to freshman Lauren Steien (7-2), whose relief effort yielded four runs, two of which were earned, over five innings. The native of Taylor, Wisconsin, gave up seven hits, issued one walk, and fanned two batters.

The all-time series belongs to RVC by a 38-19 margin, with the two program's splitting four games already this season. They will play again on May 9 in Rockford, Illinois.

Up Next:

Madison College (28-5, 4-2) plays another key N4C doubleheader on Tuesday, April 27 when they travel to the College of DuPage (14-8, 5-1). First pitch is at 3:00 p.m. in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with game two to follow around 5:00 p.m.

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