GLEN ELLYN, ILL. - Another bizarre weather day for Madison College softball was interrupted by a wild game that saw the WolfPack build a four-run lead late, only to see it disappear before being walked off 9-8 in extra innings at the College of DuPage on Tuesday. The game was interrupted in the first inning by a lengthy lightning delay, and proceeded to go eight innings before the Chaparrals plated the game-winning run on a two-out ground ball up the middle misplayed by the Pack. The Chaps now lead the all-time series by a 27-25 margin despite winning only three times in the last 19 head-to-head games. Game two of the scheduled doubleheader was canceled due to DuPage not having lights and the threat of darkness.

Madison College started the game with a two-run top of the first inning, taking advantage of two hits, two walks, and a wild pitch. Leftfielder Kelsey Meverden walked and second baseman Cathryn Zegadlo followed with a double to put runners in scoring position with one out. Sophomore Hayden Schabel then singled to center to score Meverden. Three batters later, and with the bases loaded, a wild pitch allowed Zegadlo to score from third for the 2-0 lead. The College of DuPage (15-20) answered back with two runs on three hits and an error in the bottom half to tie the game at 2-2.

In the third, the WolfPack regained their two-run advantage after centerfielder Raegen Schwarz and designated player Macie Studzinski each walked to open the inning. Following a sacrifice by Addie Fritts, Schwarz scored on a ground out by Hanna Stremkowski and Stuzinski touched home on a passed ball. Studzinski made it 5-2 in the fourth when she lined a single to left to score Schwarz from second.

Both team's put up a run in the fifth inning. Stremkowski, a second year third baseman led off with a single through the left side. A wild pitch moved her up to second base and an error by the catcher on a steal attempt of third allowed the Stevens Point, Wisconsin, native to score. An error and a walk in the home half set up the Chaparrals for a scoring opportunity, which they capitalized on with a run-scoring ground out to stay within three runs at 6-3.

The took a dramatic change in the sixth inning. Madison College sophomore pinch runner Jeneya Marquez Perez scored on a ground out by rightfielder Bailey Mester as the WolfPack matched their largest lead of the day at 7-3. The differential was erased in the next half inning as COD used four hits, two errors, and a walk to rack up five run and assume an 8-7 edge. 

The WolfPack would force extra innings with a run in the top of the seventh. Meverden doubled to left field and was brought home with a clutch single up the middle from Zegadlo. Pitcher Sophie Golembiewski stranded a runner in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to an eighth inning. After Madison College was held without a run in the top half, the College of DuPage had runners at first and second with two outs after a back-to-back singles. A ground ball hit up the middle was fielded by Sadie Svendsen at shortstop, who attempted to flip the ball to second with her glove for a force out; however, the ball sailed over the head of Zegadlo covering and the Chaps were able to score on the error for the walk off win.

Four players finished with two hits in the game for the WolfPack. Zegadlo and Schabel each had two hits, one walk, scored a run, and drove in another. Mester and Fritts also had two hits apiece, with Mester picking up one run batted in. Meverden had a hit and a walk, while also leading the team with two runs scored. Studzinski finished with a hit, a walk, one run, and one RBI.

Starting pitcher Gretta Lewis tossed 5.1 innings and recorded three strikeouts. The freshman allowed eight runs, only three of which were earned, on 11 hits and two walks. Golembiewski took over for the final 2.1 innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits and also fanned one batter.

Up Next: 

Madison College (15-11) returns to Robert D. Goodman Softball Field for a six-game homestand over the weekend, starting with two games on Friday, April 24 against Kankakee Community College (18-16). The WolfPack is 6-3 all-time against the Cavaliers, with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m. Additionally, they will host Black Hawk College (36-8) on Saturday and Moraine Valley Community College (22-14) on Sunday, with both twin bills starting at noon. Madison College is 15-6 in head-to-head meetings with the Braves, and 4-1 against the Cyclones all-time. All games will stream live at MadisonCollege.tv, with live stats available via the GameChanger app. 

Sunday will also be Sophomore Day as an 11-member Class of 2026 will be recognized between games. 

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