MENOMONIE, Wis. — UW-Stout earned a split in WIAC play Saturday at Alumni Field, taking game one 5-1 before falling 3-1 in the nightcap to UW-Platteville.
In the opener, the Blue Devils used timely hitting and a strong outing in the circle from Sarah Wilkins to secure the win. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, Stout answered in the third when Elly Holden delivered an RBI single to score Stephanie Kuhn and even the game.
The Blue Devils broke things open in the fifth. Payton Dolecki drew a walk to set the table before Wilkins launched a two-run home run to give Stout a 3-1 lead. Stout added insurance in the sixth, highlighted by RBI hits from Dolecki and Holden to extend the lead to 5-1.
Stout finished with 11 hits in the game, with Holden (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Wilkins (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI), Kuhn (2-for-3), and Dolecki (2-for-3, RBI) all recording multi-hit performances .
Wilkins was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run and scattering nine hits to earn the win .
In game two, Platteville struck early with a two-run second inning and added another run in the fifth to take control. The Blue Devils were limited to just three hits on the game and struggled to generate offense against Platteville's pitching.
Stout showed life in the seventh inning, as MacyJean Cain delivered an RBI single to score a run and cut the deficit to 3-1, but the rally would fall short .
Jennalyn Mallmann went the distance in the circle for Stout in game two, allowing three runs on 11 hits.
Hot Streaks Continue
The doubleheader capped off an impressive stretch for several Blue Devils. Elly Holden hit .340 (20-for-27) over an eight-game span, posting a .414 on-base percentage and a .630 slugging percentage with 10 RBIs, four runs scored, three stolen bases, and two home runs, including four multi-hit games.
Wilkins also turned in a dominant week, pitching 35.0 innings across five appearances with a 0.40 ERA and a 3-0 record. She allowed just three runs (two earned) while striking out 32 and surrendering only four extra-base hits. Her performance included 12 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts at No. 16 UW-Oshkosh. At the plate, Wilkins added six hits, five RBIs, three runs scored, and two home runs.
UW-Stout will be back in action Wednesday, April 29, traveling to UW-Eau Claire for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. at Bollinger Field.
