Softball team is busy making up for postponed games

CLARION STAFF REPORT

Weather cancellations have made for a jam-packed second half of the season for the Madison College softball team.

During the six-day stretch from April 15 through April 20, the team played 10 games. Fortunately for the WolfPack, they played well during that stretch, winning seven of those games.

Now, with just under two weeks left to the season, Madison College will remain busy. The team has 18 games to play before the season ends on May 4.

Madison College currently stands at 25-9 overall and 6-5 in conference play, tied for second with Triton College. Although there’s little chance of catching conference leader Rock Valley College, the WolfPack can improve their tournament seeding with wins over the five remaining Division II foes on their schedule.

In conference play during the past week, Madison College has split a doubleheader with the College of DuPage, swept two games from Triton College and lost twice to Rock Valley College. The WolfPack closed out the week by sweeping doubleheaders against Carl Sandberg College and Bryant & Stratton College.

Madison College 12, College of DuPage 0

A 10-run first inning gave Madison College all the scoring it would need in a 12-0 victory over College of DuPage on April 15. Maddie Fink pitched a complete game one-hitter for the WolfPack, striking out eight batters.

Nicole Ferch and Morgan Dercola both had two hits in the game to lead Madison College hitters. The WolfPack had five extra base hits in the game including a triple by Dercola.

College of DuPage 6, Madison College 3

Errors proved costly for Madison College in the second game against College of DuPage. The WolfPack committed four errors in the 6-3 loss, contributing to five of the runs DuPage scored. Madison College was limited to six hits in the game, two by Dany Gumz.

Madison College 11, Triton College 3

A strong offensive performance powered Madison College past Triton College, 11-3, on April 16. The WolfPack had 11 hits in the game, led by Irene Tomasovic with three hits and three RBIs. Dercola and Maegan Brookins both had two hits. Fink pitched the win, allowing three runs on four hits and six walks.

Madison College 5, Triton College 4

It took some late-game heroics, but Madison College pulled off the sweep with a 5-4 walk-off victory over Triton College. Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Gumz led off with a single and advanced to second on an error. After two bunt singles, Gumz scored on a sacrifice fly by Hannah Grahl. Pinch hitter Kyrsten George the hit in the winning run with a line drive single to right field. Brianna Farrington earned the win in relief, pitching 2-1/3 innings and allowing just one run on one hit.

Rock Valley College 10, Madison College 5

Host Rock Valley College struck early with five runs in the first inning and three runs in the second inning to post a 10-5 victory over Madison College on April 18. The WolfPack was led by Brookins and Gumz, who both had two hits.

Rock Valley College 8, Madison College 0

In the second game of the doubleheader, Rock Valley College shutout Madison College, 8-0, winning in five innings. Madison College was held to four hits in the game, two by Brookins. Farrington pitched the loss in relief, allowing eight runs, five earned, on seven hits.

Madison College 11, Carl Sandburg 2

A powerful offensive effort led to a 11-2, five inning win for Madison College at home against Carl Sandburg College on April 19. Paige Cornelissen, Montana Platts and Nicole Ferch each had three hits in the game. Fink pitched the win, allowing two runs on five hits.

Madison College 9, Carl Sandburg 1

A 12-hit attack led to another five-inning victory for Madison College, this time 9-1 over Carl Sandburg. Tomasovic homered and was one of four players to have two hits in the game for Madison College. Jordan Martin pitched the win, allowing one run on five hits, to improve to 7-2 on the season.

Madison College 12, Bryant & Stratton College 0

Madison College scored in every inning and had 16 hits as it beat Bryant & Stratton College, 12-0, in five innings on April 20.

Gumz had a home run and two doubles to lead the WolfPack, while Tomasovic had four hits and Paige Hintz added three. Fink pitched a three-hit shutout to earn her eighth win on the season.

Madison College 17, Bryant & Stratton College 1

An 11-run first inning set the stage for another five-inning victory as Madison College defeated Bryant & Stratton, 17-1, in the second game of a doubleheader.

Tomasovic opened the scoring with a grand slam, followed by a three-run home run by Ferch. Cathryn Hiller pitched the win, allowing one run on three hits.