MADISON, WISC. - Tuesday's Region 4 softball doubleheader at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field provided plenty of drama and tense moments between rivals Madison College and Rock Valley College. The Golden Eagles - receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll - got out of town with a pair of narrow victories, claiming a 10-7 decision in the opener and rallying for a 10-9 win in eight innings in the nightcap.The WolfPack, who were hoping to pick up some key region wins ahead of the postseason, came back from a 6-3 deficit to take a late lead in the second game before falling in the eighth and now trail the all-time series by a 48-19 margin with ten consecutive setbacks against RVC.

Game #1: Rock Valley College 10, Madison College 7

Rock Valley College, who is yet to lose a game against a Region 4 opponent, built a 10-0 lead over the first five-and-a-half innings. The Golden Eagles scored one run each in the first and second innings, then plated five in a top of the fourth that included a three-run home run. Three more runs in the top of the fifth pushed the differential to ten runs before Madison College starting clicking offensively in time to attempt a huge comeback.

A four-run bottom of the sixth kept the game alive as the WolfPack were facing a run-ruled setback. With two runners on and two outs, sophomore Karis Paulson drove a triple to the wall in right center that scored Mackenna Schultz and Jenna Redders. After a walk of Madison Coubal, freshman Rylee Rogers roped a double to center, allowing Paulson and Coubal to touch home.

The rally effort continued in the bottom of the seventh with Ava Stahl drawing a leadoff walk and Schultz following with a single up the middle. Back-to-back run-scoring hits from Redders and Anderson made it 10-6, and a ground out for the inning's first out produced another run. Hoping to bring the tying run to the plate, the WolfPack were denied as Paulson and Coubal were retired in order with a line out and fly out, respectively.

The sophomore tandem of Schultz and Redders each had two hits and two runs scored, with Redders also driving in a run. Outfielders Paulson and Rogers both finished with a hit and two runs batted in, and Paulson added a run scored. Anderson and Steinhorst each tallied a hit and a RBI.

Brooke Steinhorst (6-5) made the start and took the loss after giving up seven runs, with just one being earned, on five hits and three walks. She struck out five for the fourth time this season as she worked 3.2 innings. Second year Ella Wyskochil took over in relief for the final 3.1 innings and was tagged for three runs on three hits and four walks. She recorded one strikeout.

Game #2: Rock Valley College 10, Madison College 9 (8 innings)

The day's second game felt more like a heavyweight boxing match, with both teams trading big blows throughout. Four Rock Valley College (21-12) hits led to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Three walks in the bottom of the second loaded the bases with one out; however, the WolfPack was unable to capitalize with Lillie Pluer striking out swinging and Hannah Aldrich flying out to the shortstop.

The Madison College bats did come through in the third, starting with a leadoff single by freshman Abbey Remington. Then with two outs, Jenna Redders roped a double to deep center to bring in Remington and put the Pack on the board. First year Brooke Anderson followed with a hard grounder through the middle that plated Redders to make it 3-2.

A run in the fourth for RVC pushed the differential to 4-2, but again the home team had an answer in the next half inning. After a Karis Paulson single and Pluer walk, both runners advanced on a ground out by Aldrich. Remington followed with her own productive out, sending a grounder to first base that scored Paulson.

Rock Valley College took advantage of two extra base hits to go ahead 5-3 in the fifth, and then a sacrifice fly in the sixth put the WolfPack behind 6-3.

With daylight fading and dark clouds rolling in, Madison College went to work in the sixth to rally for their only lead of the day. Following two quick outs, two singles sandwiched around a walk loaded the bases for Redders, and the shorstop delivered a huge single to right that cleared the bases and tied the game at 6-6. The three-run base knock also saw Redders advance to second on the throw in from the outfield, putting her in scoring position with Anderson coming up. The freshman from River Valley HS hit a 2-2 pitch through the left side and Redders raced around third to score for a 7-6 WolfPack lead.

Starter Kendall Weik remained in the circle with a chance to close out the program's first win over RVC since 2021. Unfortunately, the Golden Eagles hit a double, a single, and a ground out with the first three batters to tie the game at 7-7. Weik recorded strikeouts of the next two batters, and unfortunately, the home team went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings.

In extra innings, and playing with the International Rule, Rock Valley College produced a run-scoring single and a two-run homer - all with two outs - to go ahead 10-7. The WolfPack seemed ready for the challenge of another comeback, and had runners on second and third with two outs. Redders big game continued with an infield single to short that scored Aldrich. Anderson followed suit with a single of her own to drive in Ava Stahl to close the gap to 10-9 and move the tying run into scoring position. Feeling the momentum, Poynette, Wisconsin, native, Brooke Steinhorst ripped a hard grounder towards third that ricocheted to the shortstop, who was able to catch it and throw out Steinhorst at first to end the game.

Redders, a native of Middleton, Wisconsin, posted a career-high four hits and matched a career-best with five runs batted in. She also scored two runs. Right behind her in the lineup, Anderson also went 4 for 5 for her second four-hit game this season. She drove in three runs. Remington finished with two hits, two runs scored, and a RBI.

Weik (11-4) worked all eight innings and the righthander struck out six batters to mover over the 100-strikeout mark for the season. She allowed ten runs, seven of which were earned, on 14 hits and three walks.

Up Next:

The Madison College (24-11) season-ending homestand continues Friday, April 26 with a pair of Region 4 games against Black Hawk College (25-19). The WolfPack is 12-2 all-time against the Braves. First pitch at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with game two to follow at approximately 3:00 p.m. The game will stream live at MadisonCollege.TV and can be followed live via the GameChanger app.

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