OGLESBY, ILL. - The Madison College softball team finished off a doubleheader sweep of Region 4 opponent Illinois Valley Community College on Thursday, extending their current win streak to five ahead of a busy weekend homestand. The WolfPack won both games in five innings, taking the opener 9-0 and the finale 11-2 with freshman Casey Fountain earning the win in both games. The victories give the 'Pack eight consecutive wins over the Eagles, and an 11-5 lead in the all-time series.

Game #1: Madison College 9, Illinois Valley Community College 0 (5 innings)

Casey Fountain (9-2) got her extended day off to a great start with three-hit shutout in the day's first game. She did not walk a single batter and recorded five strikeouts.

The offense handed her a lead in the second inning with a run-scoring hit from Briel Burg. Sophomore Megan Miklesh drove in Katherine Brandl with a single in the third after Brandl hit a two-out double. A four-run fourth provided some separation as the 'Pack put together five hits, including three for extra bases. Maddie Kvatek's double was enough for Katie Joten and Brianna Brandner to touch home, and was followed by a triple by Abby Luczak and a single from Brandl that each produced runs. The visitors capped the scoring in the fifth to reach the run-rule win. Joten drove in a run with a sac fly, Kvatek doubled home another, and Luczak singled in Kvatek for the nine-run advantage.

Kvatek, a native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was one of three WolfPack batters to go 3 for 4. The freshman outfielder laced a pair of doubles, drove in a team-best three runs, and scored two more. Brandner used her three hits to generate two runs, wihie Brandl's three base knocks resulted in a run batted in and one scored. Luczak, a former Laconia HS athlete, tallied two hits, two RBI, and one run. 

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

The only time Illinois Valley Community College (8-13) got to Casey Fountain was the first inning of her second start of the day. After Madison College went up 3-0 on two hits and an error in the top of the first, Fountain was tagged for two runs on a pair of hits and an error. From that point on, it was smooth sailing once again for the product of Poynette, Wisconsin. She allowed just one more hit and struck out two in another five-inning win that boosted her record to 10-2. 

The WolfPack went ahead 6-2 in the second with run-scoring hits from Brianna Brandner, Maddie Kvatek, and Katherine Brandl. Six more hits and five more runs in the third put the game out of reach. After three singles loaded the bases, Brandner grounded a single to the right side to drive in Grace Madeiros, and Kvatek followed with a single to plate Briel Burg and Katie Joten. Before the inning was over, Abby Luczak and Brandl each picked up an RBI.

Brandner, a Portage, Wisconsin, native, was 3 for 4 with three runs and two runs batted in. She finished the doubleheader with six hits, five runs, and two RBI. Kvatek drove in a team-high four runs - giving her seven on the day - and scored two more on her two hits. Joten, Brandl, and Burg each produced two hits, with Joten and Burg scoring twice, and Brandl driving in a pair.

Up Next:

Madison College (30-5, 6-2) is back at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field for a busy weekend that opens a six-game homestand. It begins Saturday, May 1 with a doubleheader against Bay College (15-21) out of Escanaba, Michigan. The WolfPack beat the Norse twice this season at the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, doing so by a combined score of 23-12. The homestand continues Sunday, May 2 with a twin bill against Region 4 foe McHenry County College (13-9). The two programs have nearly split their prior 15 meetings, with the 'Pack owning an 8-7 edge with four straight wins. Both doubleheaders start at noon, with the nightcaps around 2:00 p.m.

Spectators are limited to immediate family only (Fan Policy (PDF)), and the games can be seen live via MadisonCollege.tv.

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