April 18, 2014

By Justin Schultz

The UW-Whitewater softball team put an end to its four-game losing streak as the Warhawks took down UW-River Falls in both games of the doubleheader Friday.

The Warhawks (22-7) beat the Falcons (15-16) 9-2 in the first game, and 8-0 in the second game.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Warhawks’ junior Kelynn Sporer pitched a complete game, scattering six hits and striking out five.

UW-River Falls got on the board early with two home runs in the first inning, but the ‘Hawks quickly answered with first inning home runs themselves.

Second baseman Kelly McGrail and first baseman Morgan Krisch both homered for the Warhawks. Krisch collected a total of three hits along with two runs batted in.

Behind a dominating performance from starting pitcher Bekka Houda, the Falcons were held to only one hit in five innings in the second game of the doubleheader.

Houda, a junior, pitched a shutout while striking out four.

Leadoff hitter Mimi Ramirez was the star offensively for the Warhawks as she collected three hits in three at-bats. The senior also scored twice.

Warhawks’ head coach Brenda Volk said Ramirez is everything she looks for in a leadoff hitter.

“Mimi’s having a good year for us,” Volk said. “I’m excited for what she’s doing, being a senior. Her batting average is one of the highest on the team. But there have been so many plays where she’s just been out by a step. She’s putting pressure on the defense and at this point that’s what I’m looking for, for people to just put the ball in play and make the defense work and that’s what she’s doing.”

Senior Samie Seamon hit a two-run home run for the ’Hawks in the second inning, leading the team to its 8-0 victory.

The Warhawks continue WIAC play when they battle the St. Norbert on April 23 in Depere, Wis.