MENOMONIE – The UW-Stout softball team split a WIAC doubleheader with UW-River Falls, earning a 9-1 six-inning victory in game one before falling 6-1 in the nightcap.
Game One – UW-Stout 9, UW-River Falls 1 (6 inn.)
The Blue Devils' offense came alive early and never let up, plating five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Payton Dolecki doubled to center to score Emma Fortier and Stephanie Kuhn. Later in the frame, Sarah Wilkins scored on a wild pitch, and Abbey Disterhoft singled through the left side to bring home Elly Holden, giving Stout a 5-0 lead.
River Falls got on the board with a run in the top of the third, but the Blue Devils responded in the fourth when Kuhn delivered an RBI double to extend the lead to 6-1.
Stout sealed the run-rule win in the bottom of the sixth. Donna D'Addabbo led off with a single through the right side, followed by an infield single from Rayni Bresnahan. Kuhn loaded the bases with a single up the middle before Dolecki drove in a run with a single to right. Holden then ended the game with a two-run single to center, securing the 9-1 victory.
In the circle, Wilkins was dominant, allowing five hits while striking out 10 in the complete-game effort.
Game Two – UW-River Falls 6, UW-Stout 1
In the second game, momentum shifted early as River Falls scored twice in the top of the first and added another run to take a 3-0 lead.
Holden put the Blue Devils on the board with a solo home run to right field, but River Falls answered with three more runs in the fifth to pull away.
Stout was limited to five hits in the contest. The Blue Devils threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases, but were unable to push a run across.
UW-Stout returns to action Wednesday, April 22, traveling to Whitewater, Wis., for a doubleheader against UW-Whitewater. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
