ROCKFORD, ILL. - Following an eight-day break, the Madison College softball team played one final doubleheader to conclude the 2021 regular season on Monday, a rescheduled twin bill from a cancellation on Sunday. The second-ranked Golden Eagles, who fell out of the top spot in the NJCAA Division III Poll for the first time in six years last week, defeated the #18-ranked WolfPack by scores of 5-1 and 7-1. After three get-togethers this spring, in which RVC won four out of six games, the 'Pack now trails the all-time series by a 40-19 margin. 

Game #1: #2 Rock Valley College 5, #18 Madison College 1 (7 innings)

Rock Valley College, which already clinched an eighth consecutive North Central Community College Conference title, took a 1-0 lead in the second on a single, an error, and a sacrifice. The WolfPack deficit grew to three runs in the fourth and to five runs in the fifth inning before Madison College dented the scoreboard in the seventh. Hannah Melum hit a one-out single, and raced around to score when Megan Miklesh roped a double to center.

Melum and Miklesh were joined by Maddie Kvatek and Kylle Hraban in each producing a hit.

Mallory Sterling (8-1) suffered her first loss of the season after allowing three runs, one of which was earned, on four hits and a walk in her four innings of work. She registered one strikeout before giving way to Cathryn Hiller for the final two innings. The sophomore was tagged for three hits, two earned runs, and a walk. 

Game #2: #2 Rock Valley College 7, #18 Madison College 1 (7 innings)

Madison College had a chance to get out in front early with the bases loaded and one out in the first inning, but a Megan Miklesh strikeout and Paige Peloquin fielder's choice ended the threat. The WolfPack also had a runner on third in the second inning when Katie Joten flew out to center field. Rock Valley College (43-7) took advantage with a run in the bottom of the second, and blew the game open in the third with five runs on six hits, including three consecutive doubles. Another run in the fourth made it 7-0 before the 'Pack broke through in the fifth. After Megan Zillges took a walk, Joten laced a double to left to drive Zillges in.

Joten and Taylor VonBehren produced the only two hits for the visitors. Joten also added a pair of stolen bases.

Freshman Lauren Steien (8-3) pitched the first three innings and was tagged for five earned runs and six hits, while striking out two. Casey Fountain fanned two batters, walked four, and gave up an unearned run on two hits in her three-inning stint.

Up Next:

Madison College (36-7) has earned the #1-seed in the 2021 Region 4 Division II Midwest District B Tournament, and will receive a bye through the quarterfinal round. The WolfPack will play the winner of the Tuesday, May 11 best-of-three series between #5-seed Highland Community College (16-28) and #4-seed College of Lake County (12-24). Madison College swept the Cougars 8-0 and 6-5 on April 11, but did not get to play a head-to-head series this season with the Lancers. All-time, the WolfPack boasts a 13-6 advantage over Highland Community College, including a 1-1 record in postseason play, and trails 8-6 against CLC. The game will be played at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15 at Read Park Diamonds in Freeport, Illinois on Saturday, May 15.

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