MADISON, WISC. - The Madison College softball team rallied for a dramatic extra innings, walk-off victory in the nightcap of a Region 4 doubleheaders sweep over Illinois Valley Community College on Wednesday at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field. The WolfPack held off the Eagles in the 3-0 win in the opener, and then overcame a two-run deficit to take the finale 3-2 in eight innings. Sophomore pitcher Brooke Steinhorst earned her tenth win of the season after entering in relief in game two following the season-debut of freshman Lauryn Etienne. The Pack is now 17-5 all-time against IVCC, with wins in the last 14 meetings.

Game #1: Madison College 3, Illinois Valley Community College 0

The WolfPack took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the day's first game. Sophomore Brooke Anderson led off with a single to center, and after moving to second on a sac bunt by Tailer Bartelt, she was able to score when fellow second year Kendall Weik doubled to right.

In the bottom of the fourth, Anderson again got the action going with a lead off double on a hard ground ball down the left field line, and Bartelt followed with a bunt single. Two batters later, freshman Hayden Schabel delivered some breathing room with a two-run single to left as Anderson and pinch runner Kaley Koltz crossed home.



That was all the offense Madison College needed, as Weik (9-7) limited the Eagles bats to just two hits over seven innings. The Fifield, Wisconsin, native did not issue a single walk for just the third time this season, and her nine strikeouts move the righthander to within 14 K's of the all-time school record.

Anderson posted two of the team's seven hits, and scored two of the three runs. Schabel, a native of Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, had a hit and two runs batted in, while Weik registered the other RBI with her lone hit. 

Game #1: Madison College 3, Illinois Valley Community College 2 (8 innings)

In game two, freshman Lauryn Etienne made her collegiate debut in the circle as she worked her way back from injury. The righthander from Oregon, Wisconsin, tossed two scoreless innings with a hit and two walks, while also striking out two batters. Brooke Steinhorst took over in the third, and Illinois Valley Community College (16-16) greeted her with a pair of runs. The Eagles used three hits, including a double, and a fielder's choice ground ball to take the 2-0 lead.

It remained that way until the fifth, when sophomore Ava Stahl came through with a game-tying, two-run triple to deep center. The extra base hit followed back-to-back singles by freshmen Cora Nelson and Hayden Schabel.

With the game tied, both teams had chances to score the go-ahead or winning run in the seventh. The top half saw IVCC put runners on first and second with consecutive two-out singles, but Steinhorst hung tough and induced an inning-ending pop out ot third baseman Maya Dzick.

The WolfPack loaded the bases on a single, an error, and a walk with just one out; however, the Eagles turned their third double-play of the day as Rylee Rogers' grounder to third allowed IVCC to get runners out at home and third to end the inning.

In extras and with the California Rule in affect, Illinois Valley stranded runners at the corners with just one away. Steinhorst fanned one batter for the second out, and Anderson flipped to Stahl at second to get a force out on a ground ball for the third.

With Rogers aboard at second to start the home half, lead off hitter Tailer Bartelt dropped a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error by the third baseman. Rogers was able to continue around third and scored the game-winning run for the walk-off win.



The WolfPack was out-hit in the game by an 8-4 margin, with Nelson providing two of those hits, a walk, and one run scored. The Francis Creek, Wisconsin, native, now owns two multi-hit games this season.

Stahl posted a hit, a walk, and two runs batted in, while Schabel finished with a hit and a run scored. Rogers drew two walks and scored one run.

Steinhorst (10-6) was tagged for the two runs on seven hits and two walks, while also striking out four batters. The Poynette, Wisconsin, native becomes the 12th pitcher in program history to reach ten wins in a single season.



Up Next: 

Madison College (22-13) continues their regular season-ending homestand on Friday, April 25 with a Region 4 doubleheader against Kishwaukee College (33-19). The WolfPack is 24-15 and riding a 19-game win streak against the Kougars. First pitch at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field is set for 3:00 p.m., with the finale slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. Watch live at MadisonCollege.TV and follow live stats via the GameChanger app.

The Madison College softball team will be celebrating Teacher/Staff Appreciation Night during the two games.

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